Poems, viz. 1. A panegyrick to the king. 2. Songs and sonnets. 3. The blind lady, a comedy. 4. The fourth book of Virgil, 5. Statius his Achilleis, with annotations. 6. A panegyrick to Generall Monck. / By the Honorable Sr Robert Howard.

POEMS , viz. 1. A PANEGYRICK to the KING . 2. SONGS and SONNETS . 3. The BLIND LADY , a COMEDY . 4. The Fourth Book of VIRGIL , 5. STATIUS his ACHILLEIS , with ANNOTATIONS . 6. A PANEGYRICK to GENERALL MONCK . By the Honorable Sr ROBERT HOWARD .

LONDON , Printed for Henry Herringman , and are to be sold at his shop at the sign of the Anchor on the lower Walk of the New Exchange . 1660.

TO THE READER .

IT has been the usuall custom of Epistles , to give the Reader an account of the causes that brought those writings into publick , that were onely intended for a private Closet ; and commonly it has been at the request of friends , perhaps with mingled truth and designe , to prae-engage the judgments of many , by telling the opinion of some , so to preserve their modesty as much in the pretence , as they could have done in the concealment of their Writings .

Though I cannot pretend such a cause as this , I can yet free my self from that vanity that others would avoid , by assuring the Reader , I had not stock of confidence enough to shew these things privately to many friends , much lesse to be furnish'd with enough , to make them publick to all indifferent persons , had not the desires of the Book-seller prevail'd with me : to whose civilities I believ'd my self so far engag'd , as to deny him nothing that he thought a kindnesse , which could not be severely prejudiciall to my self : Yet I doubted not , but that I should receive the censures of many ; which , upon the granted principle of prejudice , appear'd not a reasonable argument to prevail with me to deny his request , since the same should as well perswade me not to live , for life and conversation render man in Print more than letters can do ; and is made more publick by that way , than he can be by this . His life is mingled more with his defects and passions , than probably his writings are ; and whether they are equall , or exceed others , need not trouble him that writes : He may be satisfied , the production of retir'd hours are the best of himself . I had no great reason then to deny his request , that imagin'd he ask'd his own advantage , when he desired nothing that I believed contrary to mine .

Yet I wish that it may so far give satisfaction to all , that they may as little repent the reading , as I did the writing ; whilst in these gentle studies I found a diversion from greater follies ; and by that comparison they received obliging natures . Perhaps , there 's few that read them , may not as well be conscious to themselves , to have spent some time not so 〈◊〉 ; and for that cause forgive that , which for its own sake they cannot admire .

For the severall subjects which here make one bundle , there is not any of them that have not layn by me these many years ( two or three copies of Verses onely excepted ) ; and had been wholly perhaps laid aside , but for the reasons given , applying my self now to more serious studies , according to the severall seasons of encreasing age , as the earth produces various fruits to the different seasons of the year . By this short account of time , the Reader may discern in what clowdy days my Muse spread her wings , as little contributing to her flying a noble heighth , as to shew a just subject : He that most deserv'd it was most deni'd it ( as he was indeed his right in all things ) either from private fear , or publick power , though I equall not the crime of faint thoughts in passive submission , to the guilt of bold profession in publick action . 'T is now to be hop'd , that the praises of our Prince , who so much merits it , may be received willingly by all , since nothing can be said of him , that has not been done by him ; and man's largest invention has been excell'd by His actions , there being nothing capable to make him appear more excellent than himself ; unlesse it had been our want of him , when by experience we found his miseries were ours , and all that we inflicted on him returned in double measures on our selves ; like stones madly tost into the air , and forc'd from their proper center , that fall back with encreas'd weight upon their heads that flung them . We are now presented that in him , which this world sparingly produces ; in one composure , an object for our Consciences and Interest , in whose preservation , our Temporall and Eternall states have equall shares . Yet I should a little be dissatisfied with my self to appear publick in his praise , just when he was visibly restoring to power , did not the reading of the Panegyrick vindicate the writing of it , and , besides my affirmation , assure the Reader , It was written when the King deserved the Praise as much as now , but separated farther from the Power ; which was about three years since , when I was Prisoner in Windsor-Castle , being the best diversion I could then find for my own condition ; to think , how great his Vertues were for whom I suffered , though in so small a measure compar'd to his own , that I rather blush at it , than believe it meritorious .

For the other Verses and Songs , I must professe they were never directed to any particular Beauty , which may ( to the Amorous Reader at least ) be a just excuse , if they want Perfection , to remember I wanted Passion , and had onely my own warmth , unassisted by the influence of a Mistresse . Nor shall I envy him that writes better , by being much in love , if he must purchase the advantage of Wit by the losse of Freedom .

For the Translations , the Authors have already received those Characters from the world , that they need none of mine , especially Virgil , of whose works I have onely publish'd this one Book , that lay finished by me ; not judging it convenient to perfect those other Books of his Aeneid's , which I have rudely gone through , having long since laid aside all designes of that nature ; and this little of it rather grew publick from accident , than designe , the Mingle it had with my private Papers , was the greatest cause , that it received its share in the publick Impression .

For Statius , he had received commendations enough , had he been alone commended by Juvenal in his 7 Satyr . but Alexand. ab Alex. also , lib. 6 ch. 14. relates , that he thrice received the Victor's Lawrell in the publick reading of his Verses , and was once vanquish'd ; as unjustly perhaps as * Agelli lib. 17. ch. 4. Menander was judged to be overcome by Philemon , whose faction was greater , though his wit lesse ; insomuch that meeting him afterwards , Menander desired him to confesse ingenuously , if he did not blush when he vanquish'd him . For this piece of his , I confesse I chose it as most pleasing to me , I wish it may be so to the Reader ; though there wants not * 〈◊〉 in unâ Achilleide ita surgit ut illic multo sublimi●s ferri videatur , quam quó potuerit toto ● hebaide perveniter Demit . ingenious men , who preferr'd it before his other Poems . The Annotations may in some places perhaps be judged too large ; yet , had I omitted any thing , it is probable that the same persons would have censur'd me for ignorance : so that being equally sensible of these extreams , I judg'd it the testimony of the greatest modesty , By omitting little , to shew my self not at all secure in the world's opinion .

I have thus , ingenuous Reader , given you a clear and true account of my Self and Writings , not opprest with apprehension , nor rais'd by neglect ; but preserv'd by an indifferency , that destroys not my civilitie to others , nor my own content ; desiring not to engrosse , but share satisfaction . If in any thing I justly need , or designe to ask pardon , 't is for Errors that probably the Reader may meet with ; having been reduc'd to the strait of neglecting this , or businesse . I confesse my Interest prevail'd with me though , not wholly to neglect the Reader , since I prevail'd with a worthy Friend to take so much view of my blotted Copies , as to free me from grosse Errors . Having thus set down all my designe and reasons , I leave the Reader with as little Concern to use his , as I have shewed him mine .

To my Honored Friend , Sr ROBERT HOWARD , On his Excellent Poems . AS there is Musick uninform'd by Art In those wild Notes , which with a merry heart The Birds in unfrequented shades expresse , Who better taught at home , yet please us lesse : So in your Verse , a native sweetnesse dwells , Which shames-Composure , and its Art excells . Singing , no more can your soft numbers grace Then Paint adds charms unto a beauteous Face . Yet as when mighty Rivers gently creep , Their even calmnesse does suppose them deep , Such is your Muse : no Metaphor swell'd high With dangerous boldnesse lifts her to the sky ; Those mounting Fancies when they fall again , Shew sand and dirt at bottom do remain . So firm a strength , and yet with all so sweet , Did never but in Sampson's Riddle meet . 'T is strange each line so great a weight should bear , And yet no signe of toil , no sweat appear . Either your Arthides Art , as Stoicks feign Then least to feel , when most they suffer pain ; And we , dull souls , admire , but cannot see What hidden springs within the Engine be : Or 't is some happinesse that still pursues Each act and motion of your gracefull muse . Or is it Fortune's work , that in your bead The curious * Rete Mirabile . Net that is for fancies spread , Let 's through its Meshes every meaner thought , While rich Idea's there are onely caught . Sure that 's not all ; this is a piece too fair To be the child of Chance , and not of Care . No Atoms casually together hurl'd Could e're produce so beautifull a world . Nor dare I such a doctrine here admit , As would destroy the providence of wit . 'T is your strong Genius then which does not feel Those weights would make a weaker spirit reel : To carry weight and run so lightly too Is what alone your Pegasus can do . Great Hercules himself could ne're do more Than not to feel those Heav'ns and gods he bore . Your easier Odes ; which for delight were penn'd , Yet our instruction make their second end , We 're both enrich'd and pleas'd , like them that woo At once a Beauty and a Fortune too . Of Morall Knowledge Poesie was Queen , And still she might , had wanton wits not been ; VVho like ill Guardians liv'd themselves at large , And not content with that , debauch'd their charge : Like some brave Captain , your successfull Pen Restores the Exil'd to her Crown again ; And gives us hope , that having seen the days VVhen nothing flourish'd but Fanatique Bays , All will at length in this opinion rest , " A sober Prince's Government is best . This is not all ; your Art the way has found To make improvement of the richest ground , That soil which those immortall Lawrells bore , That once the sacred Maro's temples wore Elisa's griefs , are so exprest by you , They are too eloquent to have been true . Had she so spoke , Aeneas had obey'd VVhat Dido rather then what Jove had said . If funerall Rites can give a Ghost repose , Your Muse so justly has discharged those . Elisa's shade may now its wandring cease , And claim a title to the fields of peace . But if Aeneas be oblig'd , no lesse Your kindnesse great Achilles doth confesse , VVho dress'd by Statius in too bold a look , Did ill become those Virgin 's Robes he took . To understand how much we owe to you , VVe must your Numbers with your Author's view ; Then we shall see his work was lamely rough , Each figure stiffe as if design'd in buffe ; His colours laid so thick on every place , As onely shew'd the paint , but hid the face : But as in Perspective we Beauties see ; VVhich in the Glasse , not in the Picture be ; So here our sight obligeingly mistakes That wealth which his your bounty onely makes . Thus vulgar dishes are by Cooks disguis'd , More for their dressing than their substance priz'd . Your curious * Annotations on Statius . Notes so search into that Age , VVhen all was fable but the sacred Page , That since in that dark night we needs must stray , VVe are at least misled in pleasant way . But what we most admire , your Verse no lesse The Prophet than the Poet doth confesse . Ere our weak eyes discern'd the doubtfull streak Of light , you saw great Charls his morning break . So skilfull Sea-men ken the Land from far , VVhich shews like mists to the dul Passenger . To Charls your Muse first pays her dutious love , As still the Antients did begin from Jove . VVith Monck you end , whose name preserv'd shall be , As Rome recorded * Hic situs est Rufus qui pulso vindice quondam , Imperium asseruit non fibi sed Patriae . Rufus memory , VVho thought it greater honor to obey His Countrey 's interest than the world to sway . But to write worthy things of worthy men Is the peculiar talent of your Pen : Yet let me take your Mantle up , and I VVill venture in your right to prophesy . " This VVork by merit first of Fame secure " Is likewise happy in its Geniture : " For since 't is born when Charls ascends the Throne , " It shares at once his Fortune and its own . JOHN DRIDEN .

A PANEGYRICK To the KING . THE true Parnassus ( Sir ) which Muses know , Are Subjects which they choose ; to whom they owe Their Inspirations , differing as the times , Unhappy Vertues , or successfull Crimes . The greatest Choyce is , where the most Successe Makes Fears as great , nor their Ambitions lesse . With the Usurped Crowns they strive for Bays ; Those readier not to Act than These to Praise . My Muse ( Great Sir ) has no such fears , or knows A better Impiration than your Woes . To sing those Vertues which are all your own , Not brought you by Successes 〈◊〉 a Throne ; But by the malice of the world withstood : So much 't is easier to be Great than Good . Which knows no end , or change by human things , But like the world ( Eternall ) whence it springs . Greatness is , as forbidden Pleasures are , Reach'd by th' impious hands , that will but dare Attempt all Crimes , still scorning a retreat : Onely the Bad can be unjustly Great . By Falls from Thrones , such , and the vertuous know What Fate to them , or they to Fortune owe. By courage nor by vertue can be staid Fortune , which tired grows by lending aid . So , when all Thrones on Caesar were bestow'd , Not Fate to him , but he to Fortune ow'd , And paid her back the vastest Principall She ever lent , in his too-wretched Fall ; To whose successfull Courage once she gave The * * Rome , call'd by Livie , Totius Orbis D●minatri● . Mistress of the World to be his Slave . To fair days , storms succeed ; to storms , the fair : We know but what we are by what we were . And Mans condition 's valu'd more or lesse , By what he had , not what he does possesse . For no Extreams could ever gain a Height From their own natures , but each other's weight . So * * — Sed longi poenas Fortuna favoris Exigit a misero , quae tanto pondere famae Res premit adversas , fatisque prioribus urget .

Lucan . Phar. lib. 8.

Lucan made the flying Pompey blame , Not present Woes , but his too-early Fame . Great * * Hannibal , in his excellent Speech to Scipio between their Armies , then ready to fight , set down by Livie ; among other motives to Scipio for peace , by his own example , advises him to be secure from the Ingratitude of his Country ; which afterwards was too largely evident by their reducing him to Privacy as great as his former Glories , and render'd themselves unworthy of his Ashes , which to this day lie in an unknown Grave . Scipio , whose too happy courage made His Country free , and Hannibal's enslay'd , Had been more happy , had he been but lesse , And not fear'd want of glory , but excesse . Whose Countrie-men's ungrateful fears were more , For his successe , than Hannibal's before . So much Plebeian Souls from Nature's School , Are fitted more for Servitude than Rule . Would such Examples had been onely known ; But we have felt a greater of our own , In your Great Father seen ; whose Sunshine-days ▪ Deserves not more our wonder than our praise : Nor did his days of Tempests lesse proclaim , But taught us more of Miracle and Fame . And equal'd all the miseries it brought ; By vertues , which unequal'd sufferings taught . Frailty affliction brings ; and yet a friend , In giving those afflictions too an end . Yet immortality can no blessing give , But make that perfect , which must ever live . His soul , refin'd so by Celestiall heat , One could not hurt ; and t'other ha's made great . He pay'd his scores of Frailty , and of Joy's , To live , where nothing that 's enjoy'd destroy's . And sell , lest this frail World like Heaven might be , At once admitting Him , and Constancy . Happy were we , had we but understood , None were too great , nor we out selves too good ! Within our selves , and by our selves confin'd : One by our Ocean ; t'other by our Mind . Whilst the obliged World , by War unsought , Was willingly by gentler Traffick brought . Secure and Rich ; whilst every swelling Tide , That brought us safety , brought us Wealth beside ▪ Above the reach of the World's power grown , And had been safe , had we but fear'd our owne . What the Grave Spaniard , and the Belgian too , The active French , by power could not do , Our passions did ; and quickly made it known , We could be Conquered by our selves alone . And acting that which others could not do , Are now fit for their Scorn , and Conquest too . How just , and sure Heaven's revenges are ! We slighted peace ; and grow despis'd by War . Like Mad men then , possest with Lunacy ; We now must find a Cure in misery . And by our suffering , to our wits redeem'd , Our long-lost peacefull temper grows esteem'd . For man does most , by the Comparative , At the true knowledge of Extreams arrive . And in affliction 's ready to adore , That which he hardly could indure before . How fatally this Nation proves it true , In mourning for our banish't Peace ; and You ! To You , Great Sir , Fortune 's in debt alone , Who can be no way pai'd , but by your owne . Your Vertues have not more made Crowns your due , Than sufferings taught you how to use them too . Stroaks upon solid bodies do provoke A secret brightnesse free , unmixt with smoak : No grossnesse mingled ; but bright sparks declare , What mighty firmnesse their Composures are . So whilst the stroaks of Fortune on You light , Your mighty frame appears more firm and bright . Affliction often by its powerfull weight , Is the Case-shot of Destiny and Fate . Routing faint principles together brought By prosperous vertues ; not by hazards taught . Whilst the weak man is too much understood , His frailty more , than his substantiall good . As in the low declining of the day , Mens shaddows more enlarged shew , than they ; So in the worlds great , last , adversity , When every Element their power must try ; To dissolution they must all retire , And leave but one pure Element of fire . All that was grosse , which from weak nature flows , In your great trialls , so expiring shows . And all unto your Nobler Soul resign'd , Nothing seems l●fe in you , but what 's refin'd . No longer , now , subject to what is frail , But have from Nature , cut off the entail . Nor yet could Fortune with her pow't or frowns , Ravish your Father's Veroues , though his Crowns ; So little was th' esteem of human things , To that once best , and now most blest , of Kings . One that in all his time , was never known , Greedy of Lives , though weary of his own . Peace Crown'd his thoughts , though not his wretched time , His Nature was his fate , his Crown his crime : Despis'd by his own people , first ; because , He stoop't below his power , and their laws . His easie gifts seem'd all but debts ; when they , Had nothing left to ask , nor he to pay . Yet that he might unjust , or mean , appear , For what his nature gave , they thank't his fear . All the fair vertues of his Halcyon-times Instead of gratitude contracted crimes In those , who from the fears he ever had , Of being ill , took boldnesse to be bad . Such as on peace , the name of [ idle ] fling , And make their Prince a Tyrant or no King ; So fell that Prince , too good for such bad times , By his own Vertues , and by others Crimes . Now against you , Great Sir , their swords are turn'd , And joy in what the VVorld besides has mourn'd . Still constant in their Crimes and Cruelty , All Conscience turn'd into Necessity . Which by the view of acted sins before , Does safe appear , onely by doing more : As those who quit firm shores , when the wind raves , Must not retire , but bustle still in waves . The wandring Needle so can never stay , Till it finds out the Point it should obey . Our Constitution toucht by Monarchy , Till it rests there , must always wandring bee ; And that must fix in You : None could convay True light , but He that ought to rule the day . VVhen Phaeton did to that heighth aspire , He brought not influence to the world , but fire : So those led by Ambition to your Throne , Have brought us ruine , and have found their own . VVhilst thus our Sphear is over-cast with Clowds , You ( the bright Sun ) their envious darkness shrouds , As ready to break forth , when Factions here Divide , as when dark clowds part in the Sphear , The Sun can be . No offer you neglect , To warm us with your lustre , and protect From such foggs of mean Souls , which still will flie O're us , till all 's dispell'd by Majesty . Once for your Kingdome 's sake you durst oppose Your Laurel'd Enemies with your * * Comming in with the Scots , who were before Conquer'd by the English at Dunbar . conquer'd foes . Yet Heaven from your assistance then was staid , Lest the ill Act the good had over-vveigh'd ; And in the Victory those Scots had found Their Crimes together vvith your Vertues crovvn'd . Then 't was You did attempt your debt to pay To Us or Nature , by a noble way . The bold * * Stat casus renovare omneis , omnemque reverti Per Trojam , et rursus caput objectare perîclis . Virg. lib. 2. Aeneid . Aeneas so , having left Troy In its own funerall flames , scorn'd to enjoy Safety alone ; but , led by Vertues great As vvere the Dangers he was to repeat , Return'd among his ruin'd Friends and State , To bring them safety , or to fetch their fate . VVhilst our dull souls all nobler vvarmth deny'd , The Covvard and th' Insensible divide Our vvoes made habits by the use , or dare Not think vve knovv hovv great our sufferings are . Like those vvho dvvell in still-resounding Caves , VVhere Nile sends headlong dovvn his rapid vvaves , Are deaf , because the Clamors constant are , The VVater not out-thundered by the Air. So , still oppress'd , Custom at last denies Unto our Souls the use of Faculties . Thus is Your case in forlorn habits drest , Rob'd of your friends by fear and interest . VVhilst Princes little think ( since change is sure ) To pitty others is to be secure ; Like those , vvho neither dying men deplore , Nor have more thoughts of frailty than before . But HE above , to make his Povver knovvn , VVhat exceeds ours , has fitted for his ovvn ; And can by those bad Instruments restore Your Crovvns , that were their ravishers before . By Jealousie , and their ambitious Pride , VVhich may their Crimes among themselves divide ; Till in each others guilty bosome too , They sheath their Svvords more justly than they drew . Like Cadmus children that vvere born vvith strife , Their quarrell 's not lesse antient than their life , VVhich never in successive mischief dyes , And factions still on other's ruines rise . So a svvell'd VVave in all its pride appears , VVhose certain fate the follovving billovv bears . In Storms , ruine on ruine still depends , Till vvant of giddy vvaves the quarrell ends . So Justice your returning Throne prolongs , Till they upon themselves revenge your vvrongs . That without Vict'ry you may Conquest find , And without Blood your peacefull Brows may bind With all those Crowns , which are as much your due As Birth and Vertue can contribute to . Thus the great Power of all , having first chose To make your Vertues great and safe by Woes , Will , by as unexpected ways , restore Your ravish'd Crowns , as they were lost before .

To AMARANTA . The Fate of Scorn . IF you the world could Conquer one by one , You 'd then want Trophies for your boundless mind ; Like that ambitious 1 1 Alexander the Great , of whom Juven . 10. Aestuat infelix angusto limite mundi . Prince , who wanted room , In the strait circuit of the world confin'd . Then like the Tyrant 2 2 Suetonius , in the Life of Nero , reports , that in his last extremity , when he sought for Spicillus the Fencer , or any , to dispatch him : And equally wanting Friends and Enemies to afford him that last favour ; Ergo ego ( inquit ) nec Amicum habeo , nec Inimicum ? Nero you must fall ; Such fate 's as his due to such cruelty , Unpittied and unminded too of all , At once without a Friend or Enemy . The Souldier that joyns Conquest to his name By Victories , when overcome with years , ( As you must one day be ) preserves his fame , Not by those wounds he gave , but those he bears . So when your Charms in Age's furrows lie Lost , and forgotten , they had once so mov'd ; One Wound amidst your heaps of Victory Would better tell , that you had been belov'd . Then like a Tyrant ravish'd from his Throne , You 'l wish , that you had gentlier us'd your own .

Song at AMARANTA's Command , set to the Tune of ARCHIBELLA . FAir Amaranta , if thy Eyes Could force some feigned tears to rise , It might my easie thoughts suffice . And joyn'd with mine , perhaps might prove Enough my Sorrows to remove ; I do not ask they should my Love . But mine , I fear , thy tears will fright ; And like those * * The Sava and Danubius , whose streams never mix in threescore miles together , as Sir Henry Blunt in his Travells affirms . Rivers that take flight In the same Banks , yet ne'r unite . Those streams from springs like ours might flow , The tears can ne'r united grow , Of feigned grief and reall woe . Should you too weep , though 't were for me , I should be so concern'd for thee , To beg again thy cruelty . No , there 's no way to cure my pain , But paying Truth and Love again , Such , and as great as feeds my flame .

To the unconstant CYNTHIA . A SONG . TEll me once , Dear , how it does prove That I so much forsworn could be ? I never swore always to love , I onely vow'd still to love thee : And art thou now what thou wert then , Unsworn unto by other men ? In thy fair Breast , and once-fair Soul , I thought my Vows were writ alone ; But others Oaths so blurr'd the Scrole , That I no more could read my own . And am I still oblig'd to pay , When you had thrown the Bond away ? Nor must we onely part in Joy , Our tears as well must be unkind : VVeep you , that could such truth destroy ; And I , that could such falseness find . Thus we must unconcern'd remain In our divided Joys and Pain . Yet we may love , but on this diff'rent score , You what I am , I what you were before .

To the Same . YOu are not , Cynthia , better pleas'd than I , That you first led the way Through this dark night of blind Inconstancy , And first found break of Day . To freedom now we 'l sacrifice dreams past . 'T was my good fate to cry Good-morrow last . Perhaps so soon I could not dis-engage , Having a greater score . Some Birds will longer hover round the Cage , Though 't was their Jayl before . Yet sure I meant not long to sit about The ashes , when the fire was quite burnt out . Since now my Jaylor has my Chains unty'd , I 'le hold my hand no more Up at Love's Bar ; he is condemn'd untride , That has been burnt before . Now that heart-sickness which she gave , protects ; 'T is seldom that the same plague twice infects . Breasts that have known Love's cruell slavery , Are better fortifi'd By that experience than they ere can be , By reason or by pride . Then blush not that you quench'd this am'rous flame , But blush with me , if we two love again .

To the Same . TEmpt me no more ( fair Cynthia ) 't is as vain , As was the hated Action when you lost , What you unjustly fancy novv to gain ; Though at the same repeated vice's cost . For he you lov'd more than your Constancy , Must suffer now as then you injur'd me . Such punishment attends that hated sinne , That the repentance of it , is a Crime : And you to gain my heart must act agen The vice which lost it first , from being thine . How justly does Love's-god his power show , In making the unconstant ever so ? That * * Cleopatra , whole beamy gain'd her as absolute an Empire over Julius 〈◊〉 ; as he had over others , by his victories and vertues . After him , this Queen as various in Love , as in Ambition , extended her Conquests over Marcus Antonius , to whose power Octavius Caesar put an end , overthrowing the Lovers in a Batrell , and design'd Cleopatra to adorn his Triumph , who by death prevented a shame , so contrary to her former glories . Queen whose charms on Caesar all could do , He did to others by his Sword and Mind , Making the VVorld his Slave and Lover too ; Had she as constant been as fair and kind . Octavius vvould have blush'd at thoughts to have , Romes conquering Caesar's Mistris for his slave . Nor did one Caesar justlier think his Love , Paid to her charm's , vvhilst equall flames she feels , Than t' other vvhen she did unconstant prove , Design'd those beauties for his Chariot-wheels . So you may fall unpitti'd as she did , Unconstant unto all things but her pride . Those beauties vvhich in your fair face and eyes , So long have rendevouz'd in Constant pay , Like Armies still attempting victories , And alway's kept on duty , must decay . Then vvhen those troops of beauties once decline , You 'l feel the vvant of your lost Truth and Time .

To CELIA . Who desired to have Verses , that were written on Her in a glasse Window , to be given Her in a sheet of Paper . YOur praises vvhich the vvounded glass did bear , By your Command this paper now must wear ; Both's due to you , 't is just all praises meet , Of VVomen , in a glasse , or in a sheet .

To AMARANTA . The Confession . NOvv I confesse , I am ore'come , Though the out-vvorks vvere storm'd before , Yet they seem'd slighted and not vvonne ; VVhilst I had a Reserve in store . But she that Conquers not in part , Storm'd then my heart ; VVhich famish't reason kept before . She had corrupted so my Spies , And me to that Condition brought , I durst not send abroad my eyes ; But like a Covvard vvink't and fought . For vvhen I did those helpers use , They brought me nevv's ; She had fresh troops of beauties got . See vvhat is unrestrain'd desire , And to give leave to vvandring eyes , Like that fond fool that plaies vvith fire ; VVhere all the Ammunition lies . And to attempt retreats is vain , VVhen the laid train . Had taken fire from her eyes . Now my blown flame can fewell find , Of every thought I have , and knows How to disgest my peace of mind ; For in distemper'd breasts Love grows . Well did the antient Poets feign , That from the Main , And troubled Waves , Love's goddesse rose . Yet though condemn'd , I blush to grieve , As much as once I did to love ; I 'm pleas'd his Laws grant no reprieve : He that to Fate would slowly move , Has lost his courage with his heart , And that mean part May make her scorn a justice prove .

To Mrs. Mor. on the Birth of her First Son . THus Heaven does you & us from fears redeem : At once gives Joy ; and to that , Joy Esteem . Those relish Ease that first have tasted Pain ; By knowing what we want , we value gain . So great and perfect now your blessings are , You seem in more than what is frail to share ; Whilst you renew your lease of life and fame , By living thus in vertues and in name . 'T is just this child should be in all your heir , And equally of life and vertues share . For whilst he lay within his living Tomb , How could he but contract what was your own ? So water , pour'd into a vessell , owes A relish to the cask through which it flowes . Thus you give vertues and give life away , Yet not lesse good , nor suffer by decay . One flame unto a thousand may give light , Yet has not lesse , nor does remain lesse bright . But thus whilst life and vertue you bestow , Think to his happy passion what you owe. Had you left unrewarded his pure flame , You must have lost your share in time and fame . So in the Chaos before Love made way , Both Time and Glory unregarded lay . But see what mutuall obligations past , You gave him Joys , and he thus makes them last .

The Dream . STay thou still , dearest Shape , O do not fly ! Why do those charming looks appear so strange ? In t'other world there 's no inconstancy , Nor has my Love in this admitted change . The Joys in t'other world the gods bestow , Do from enlarged love and knowledge flow . Since then you needs must know I have been true , And my faith tells , you cannot but be so ; What cruell unknown Law obliges you , By this reserv'dness , to encrease my wo ? Like Tantalus , who always is deny'd Those streams which by his longing senses glide . Is it as wise men often tell us here , Though love and knowledge shall have an encrease , They 'l have no partiall applications there ; Knowledge resolves in Praise , and Love in Peace . As Sunshine equally on all reflects , Yet to one object most no beam directs ? Or are you now forbid to own a fire , ( Though kindled by the blessed shape you bear ) Whilst rak'd in living ashes ? This desire , You sure may own , and sure the gods will hear . In pitty of my woes this blessing give , That I may die , or unconcern'd may live .

A DIALOGUE . Thirsis . Charon . Thir. CHaron , O gentle Charon , bring thy Boat . Char. Who 's this that calls with an unusuall note ? Thir. Hither thy Vessell , gentle Charon , drive . Char. Thou speakst as if that thou wert now alive . Thir. And may I still be so , unlesse to me Thou tell'st large joys of your Eternity . Char. Why wouldst thou know ? since those that bodies have I seldom row , or those that want a grave . Thir. Ep●● thee why ? Char. A sinful Soul will sinck My patcht-up Bark almost below the brink . Should Bodies too with their offences go , 'T would sinck me quite . Thir. By that then thou dost know If any Soul has past these fatall streams , Whom good or ill has govern'd in extreams . Char. Perhaps I may . Thir. Then , gentle Charon , tell What I shall ask , and I 'le reward thee well . Char. Ask quickly then , for here I never wait , Souls croud so fast ; Ambition , War , and Fate Send custom still . Thir. Did not thy fatall Boat , But lately , as if lost in tempests , float ? If thy Boat feels the humor of the Soul It bears , sure it did lately strangely roul . Char. I carried such a one , a Woman too , Who then I guest had been too much untrue , My Boat so totter'd still . Wouldst go where she Now lives ? Thir. Not I , but rather tel to me , What she does there ? Char. She fickly wanders now , And ever must , in gloomy shades below . 'T is just they never should directly find , Or know their way , that never knew their mind . Thir. I should have wander'd too , it seems ; had I But thought it fine to whine , and grieve , & die . Nor yet her falsness , nor the cruelty Of one more fair and good , could work on me , To break my heart ; perhaps it did my sleep . Didst thou not carry , o're this fatall Deep , One that appear'd severe , yet strictly good ? Char. My Bark did then but gently kiss the Floud ; She was no weight , for vertue was her guide , And helpt me too as much as could a Tide . Thir. She sure sits always still ; but should I find Her in your World , Might she at last grow kind ? Char. No , Never now ; for there may grow a crime , Where there can be a change in thought or time . But if to go to her thou dost desire , Thy joy must be , at distance to admire . Thir. I thank thee , gentle Charon ; now I 'le stay , Since I must either doat , or lose my way . I 'le back to our dull World again , and find A Mistress , if I can , both fair and kind . For since at last we hither all must throng , 'T is good , I see , to bring one's heav'n along . I hope the gods too will with this dispence , To be unconstant in one's own defence . Char. Why then farewell . Thir. When I return my scores I 'le pay in vertues which shall be thy Oars . Back to my World I 'le go , Char. and I to mine . Chor. That Breast has heaven's light where Vertues shine . Heaven dwells in breasts , kept free from crimes and hate ; The place does but preserve from change and fate .

The Resolution . NO Cynthia , never think I can Love a divided heart and mind ; Your Sunshine love to every man , Appears alike as great as kind . None but the duller Persians kneel , And the bright god of Beams implore : Whilst others equall influence feel . That never did the god adore . The riches of your Love 's put forth , And ev'ry man retains a part , You can't call 't in , to make you worth The purchase of a faithfull heart . Hope not to be mine , or your own ; You can't your selfe to me restore , The Nest is left , the Birds are flown . And bankrupt-Love sets up no more : Your kindnesse which at randome flyes , Makes your Love-patients all secure , But they will find your Emp'rick eyes ; Can only palliate , never cure . Though I resolve to love no more , Since I did once ; I will advise . The love of Conquests now give o're , Disquiets wait on Victories . To your much injur'd peace and name , Love's farewell as a tribute pay , Grow now reserv'd and raise your fame ; By your own choice not your decay . She that to Age her charms resignes , And then at last turns Votary ; Though Vertue much the change inclines , 'T is sullied by Necessity .

The Opinion . LOng have I thought , It was in vain , To seek to purchase Love or Fame : For both alike would slide away , Or by my own , or her decay . For Love and Fame , crown'd with successe , Do from enjoyment both grow lesse . Had the god 's so , but been content , I would have liv'd indifferent . Not to have fear'd extreams of fate , Or Cares , that from lost Joyes take weight ; Indifferency all safety keeps , Ther 's none unhappy whilst he sleeps . But strangely wak't , she did surprize , My blisse and reason with her eyes : So lazy Princes wanting aime , To seck to purchase love and fame , Are by some slighted power o'recome , The scorn of others , and their own . Now she too much her power knows ; So some resisted stream o'reflows More than its usuall banks ; nor I Dare longer her just power deny : That must above the Common rate , Not reward passions but Create .

To AMARANTA , doubting his Constancy . AS from a neigh bouring rock , afflicted eyes See their lov'd object , tost by threatning waves , Rude messengers of angry destinies ; Their swelling wombs grown fertile too with graves . Safety and joy , their nature lose ; whilst he , Share 's with the others , fears and destiny . So from the height of all my happinesse , Whilst I see storms of fears oppresse thee so , I wish thy justice more , though kindnesse lesse ; My grief is far more gentle then thy woe . Though both wayes led unto my fate , yet I Would as thy Martyr , not thy Traitor , dye . Seldome , its true , the mighty stock of Love , Meets in one mind , with such refined sense , As to preserve that which it can't improve , Only by paying its own just expence . Not all those taxes which vain eyes designe , To many beauties , and decaying time . Yet there is Love , like mine , can know no end , Above the reach of any change or fate , I le smile at beauties too , that would pretend A reformation in my happy state ; Be but as kind , as I will constant prove , And make my Joyes as perfect as my Love .

Upon hearing Mrs. M. K. sing . OUr vain Philosophy can only teach , But not command , when sorrows make a breach Upon the heart : but to thy voice we pay Obedience , whilst we slight what wisemen say . Thy charming breath through our enchaunted ears , Possession takes , where once our hopes and fears Rais'd storms before , and the becalmed breast , No longer now by cruell care 's opprest . 'T were Heaven protected thus from all extreams , Were but thy breath Eternall , and our Dreams . So Orpheus , led not by his fate but choice , To the dull world of shades his charming voice ; Brought Heaven there , and made the torments cease , Th' infernall businesse all lock't up in peace . His voice , the busie Furies could compose , And thine our passions , Furies great as those . By Lethe's streams , which brought forgetfulnesse , Souls were secur'd of present happinesse . So thy Loud voice , not only Joy procures , But , by oblivion too , our cares secures . We , whilst you Sing , in state of blisse remain , And when you cease , shrink to our selves again .

AMARANTA , to the god of Love . AH , mighty Love , what power unknown , Hast thou now us'd more than thy own ! It was thy conduct and designe , But not thy power that Vanquish't mine . As a great Captain to his Name , Of every Conquest joynes the fame ; Though 't was not by his power got , But Army's , by his Conduct brought : So when thou could'st not do 't alone , Thou lead'st his troops of Vertues on . And I now feel by my surprize , Thou hast not only darts but eyes ; Just god ! now take again thy Arms , And rally all I have of charms . What pow'r and conduct cannot do , Make his beliefe contribute to . So , when the earth some promise shows , That she does greater wealth inclose ; Believing men search her rich veins , And crown their hopes with unknown gains ; May he , but at the first , incline to Love , Then by my Faith , and Time , His Justice , after the surprize , Shall be more fetter'd than his eyes ?

THE BLIND LADY A Comedy .

The Persons . SIgismond King of Poland . Albertus Vaivvode of Ruthenia . Phylanter his son . Mironault Vaivvode of Lithuania . Hippasus , Pysander , friends to Mironault . Lycespes , friend to Phylanter . Symothacles , Generall to the King . Peter , servant to the Blind Lady . Messengers , Huntsmen , Tenants . Mirramente , the Princesse . Amione , sister to Mironault . Philena , a great Lady attending the Princesse . Coeca , a Blind Lady . Quinever , her Maid .

The Blind Lady .

ACT 1.

SCEN. 1. Enter Albertus , Phylanter . Alb. BUt upon what injury , Phylanter ? Phy. Love and Ambition , Sir , those two great injuries Of mens seduced minds , which fill the thoughts . Full of Revenge , not with the justnesse of it . What Mironault has done , moves not my hate ; But what he may , my fears . By her , a Kingdom , Sir ; And , with her self , a World — Falls in my arms . How slow you are to crown Me and your self with happinesse ? You can love neither , and deny . Alb. But are you sure he comes ? Phy. I am certainly inform'd so . Alb. Yet consider , son , how will the King resent , That whilst he 's paying his duty to the Princesse , He should be there surprised ? Phy. That is your part for to prevent , Sir , Telling the King , ( such minds are ever jealous ) That his designes were to surprise the Princesse . 'T will appear service then , and may destroy My Rival's interest , if not advance my own . Those , Sir , that traffick in these seas , Fraught not their Bark with fear● : Besides , there needs none now . Alb. Yet think again , though , as you are my son , I can deny you little ; and 't is more just You should , deny your self , and not obey These hasty passions . He ne're injur'd you ; Or if he had , there were a nobler way For your revenge than this . You are angry That the world 's pleased with him , and that he may Enjoy a bliss you wish for ; or , at least , Because he wishes it as well as you ; A Quarrell which Mankind must lay aside , Or all be Murtherers . Phy. You told me , I did obey my passions , To those you give your reasons then : As much you may expect from them , As if you told the winds they blew . too hard . Think of the Cause , then judge of the Effect . 'T is Love — Love for the Princesse too , For whose fair sake , who 'd not attempt The angry billows swell'd with horrid storms , The Sea-gods Pyramids , when every wave Bears too , like those , within its womb a grave , Or dangers yet unheard of ? Determine , Sir , For I resolve to act ; and let the story then Come to his unprepared ears . Alb. Well , that I may proserve you From some more unadvised course , ( if more can be ) I 'le do it ; but take heed Of letting violence be offer'd to him : Preserve thy self free from so foul a crime . Love's way lies not through blood . Consider too What we now go to act ; nor blush To think thou didst do ill , or that 't will throw Aspersions on thy judgment , to dislike The folly thou hadst dotingly embrac'd . Hee 's wise that sees his error at the last , Who weighs all these in perfect scales , Shame of his crime , and not his wit , prevails . Farewell , I leave you to your thoughts . — I 'le on my way to night . Heaven direct and prosper you . Exit . Phyl. How nice his conscience was — now to my businesse . And thou , great god of Love , that rul'st my heart , Attempt but Fortune with as kind a Dart ; That whilst I reach at what can scarcely be , Fortune as madly too may dote on me . — Now all things but designe Leave me — and yet — it looks but odly , To put off all this honesty at once , And to have none about me . Or was it ever mine ? sure I borrow'd it , And 't is a thing that 's taken up on trust ; I owe the world so much ; I 'le think on 't When I can pay it . Lycespes , welcome , Enter Lycespes . I was resolved just now to seek you . Lyces . You would have found me still prepar'd to serve you . Phyl. You are my noble friend , nor will I say , That I shall try it now ; this onely can Preserve it . But words are wasters of our time , And robs us still of action . As fast then as you can Get all our friends in readinesse , as many As possibly you can , well arm'd and mounted . Return with all the speed your Love can make . As we go you shall know all , The rest must live in ignorance . What Power now to invoke I hardly know , Yet every god has felt what Love can do . [ Exeunt .

ACT 1. SCEN 2. Enter two Huntsmen . 1. COme , the Princesse is hard at hand : And if we haste not , she may overtake us . To night too , we must lodge the Deer . 2. We need not care for that ; this Forrest Is so well stor'd , that Game 's in every Thicket . It causes the Princesse constant progresse Into these parts — But who are these ? Enter Mironault , Hyppasus , Pysander . 1. 'T is the brave Mironault . Mir. Well overtaken , Huntsmen , Is the Princesse Yet far behind ? 2. No , my Lord , he is almost in sight . Exeunt Hunts . Mir. I thank you — — Whither does Love thus hurry me ? A Tyrant that denies the smallest hopes , Where he gives largest wishes ! The greatest Beauties are like greatest Wealths , Subjects for all mens wishes , not their hopes . Fears share with Love the Empire of the heart , Rendring alike the Lover and the Coward . Danger 's the awfull Mistresse of the one , Who fears to tempt her , lest he should endure That fate too quickly , which he knowes is sure . So , whilst the other's Mistress too is ignorant , Onely more slow , the pining Lover dies , And that sure fate but hastes , if she denies . Hyp. Dear Sir , let not grief thus torment you . You should have there a nobler Guest , your Reason ; And were that there , there hardly could be room For such disorders . Passions are like Thieves , That watch to enter undefended places , And rob you too of all that put 's a difference Between Wild-beasts and Man . Yet , mistake not ; Your grief , if not dispair , is the fond passion I speak against , and not the love they spring from : That were her injury , to whom alone All is due , as Rivers to the Ocean . Yet Nature has decreed , that she must love : Believe your worth and your devotion then As great as any — Mir. O Hyppasus — 'T is easier far to counsell than to act ; And every one 's provided with the wisdom , That has not interest in the misfortune . And those that in Feavors , though 't is their ruine , Wish Rivers of drink ; the standers by , That then advise , and , may be , wonder at them , Would , in the same disease , do just so too . Pysan . You know not , Sir , but this great goddesse May be a little mercifull : by this hand , If she be not , I 'le be revenged , On half the Sex at least , by proving rigorous To those poor Wenches I have prated to ; That 's every one almost that e're I saw — Then forsooth Will the poor creatures wish their amorous heads Fill'd with Romances , pine , and die , With Willow-garlands under Myrtle-shades : And grief for them will kill the Mothers too . Your Princesse shall not have many Female Subjects . Mir. I thank thee , good Pysander , for attempting To mix thy mirth with my opposing griefs . But they are contraries , and cannot meet in one . — but let it perish withme — I must again Desire your secresies . Hyp. Nay that 's — Mir. Pardon me , Hyppasus — I know it 's needlesse to repeat A wish of mine to either of you : But what men's thoughts are full with , issue forth , With too much haste and freedom . Pysan . Will you take my advice , Sir ? Hyp. Nay pray , Sir , hear him . Mir. Come , what is 't , Pysander ? Pysan . Wholsom extreamly ! For the kind constitution Of a decaying Lover ; this is the short Receipt . In the first place , make your self — very — drunck . Nay , nay , you need not wonder ; by divine Bacchus , 'T is a rare expression of passion to court disorderly , To make a meer Chaos of one's self , and then give her ▪ The honor of Creating you ; then , besides , All truth and all good nature will appear . If this be not the way to be consider'd , I 'l be judg'd — Hyp. How do you like it , Sir ? Mir. There 's kindnesse in 't to me , I know , Hyppasus ; And were I capable of mirth , it might produce it . But Grief and Love are throng'd together , And have scarce room enough . Hyp. Have either Joy or Grief , wee 'l share with you ; Nor was 't our fears of having part That made us wish you none ; we value you And our own lives at the same rate : We wish them free from all misfortunes , Yet share all willingly rather than part . But we must alter now that shew of trouble Which we have given our selves ; for the Princesse Must needs be neer . Mir. See Hippasus — . I had forgot the subject of my thoughts , How greedily I wish , yet fear to see her ! Like some poor Votary , whose holy thoughts Sets off so much , the joyes of Paradise , That it employes as many fears as wishes . — Hark she comes ! You Powers above , Lend Love and Fortune now their eyes , To help , or see at least , their sacrifice . Prin. You 're well met , my Lord , Was it a chance , Or your designe that brought you ? Enter Princesse Philena & followers . Mir. 'T is all I have about me of ambition , And of large wishes , that I may often Have leave thus to present my service . Prin. Your service , Sir , has been so much considerable , That I should be alone guilty of folly , Did I not valew it at such a rate , As the whole World have sett upon it . Miro . If I had such a power , to oblige As much , as you are pleas'd to say I have ; The World's applause , could not so much reward My services , as your receiving of them . Prin. My interest , next to my Father's , In this obliged Nation by your valour , Has made it gratitude ever for me , To avow that and more . Mir. I have then much of my best wishes crown'd , Yet should you know all that my heart conceals , Though it be much like this , you 'd be displeas'd With what you have pretended to allow . Prin. I cannot find this guilt about me , and can lesse guesse . How you should have a thought that should displease me . You cannot but oblige , and I as hardly Can tell what 's injury , if you should do it . Mir. This is a kindnesse , still admired Princesse , That I must never ask the meaning of ; But to my flatter'd fancy , so interpret As you would never do : yet 't is unjust , That I should use , the least kind word from you , With an advantage to my selfe . Prin. Sure , I may give you leave to do it , For such a confidence I justly have Of your great vertues , that you ever Pursue your own advantages with others . Mir. 'T is true , to the undeserving World , I can perform all this , only to you I am unjust , that never wish A good to you , when I desire most . Prin. I hardly understand you : if I do , The world is more oblig'd to you than I. Mir. Such a strange Character , my fate Has thrown upon me , yet my selfe , And all that World , which seems so much Beholding to me more than you , Are as much lesse in my esteem , As are the sands unto the mingled jewells , The Negro brings up from the Deep together . Prin. Is there a possibilty to know , Your meaning then ? Mir. You should , if I were sure you would forgive it , Yet thus much take in guesses . Could Shades be sensible , And wish the embraces of the Sun , were not that Lamp , Injur'd by that which lov'd it , could rude beasts Be passionate for Empire , and not injure The Throne because they lov'd it . 'T is I That am more dark then all those shades , You brighter then that Sun ; 'T is I That am that Beast rob'd of all reason . And you above all Empires ; I have acknowledg'd My unsuspected guilt , because t' was so , And though I cannot leave my Love , I may my Life . — Prin. You have done more than given me leave to guesse , And since I have my selfe been guilty too , In giving you the occasion I shall forbear Such a displeasure as is due , and let you know . T' was easie too for me to erre , that could so little Imagine you to be so guilty : I shall adde Only thus much , that as you valew My presence or esteem , repeat no more Any thing of this nature — Come let 's on : Exeunt Princess and Attendants . Mir. So Merchants for a tempting venture Bankrupt themselves ; yet what wealth had I Before I knew my poverty from her ? 'T is nothing I have lost , the difference is , That I have something now I wish to lose , Hyp. She is not , Sir , a greater enemy , To your content , than you are to your selfe : 'T is you enlarge her frowns by fancied fears , Mir. Those that are free from danger , my Hyppasus . May look and wonder at another's fears , That is environd with it : 't is Concern That is the excuse for Passion ; were you my Rivall , The Counsell would be juster if you gave it , — Come we must not stay behind , — Ther 's nothing but a Lover pleas'd with sufferings . All other rigors of this World , Our wishes and endeavours still oppose , The Prisoner hates his bolts , whilst he remains Pleas'd not so much with sreedom as his chains . [ Exeunt

ACT 1. SCEN 3. Enter Phylanter solus . Phyl. TRust me a little , Fortune , with my self , I do not ask thy aide grow big my hopes , And swell unto a Throne , To Crown my Love , and my Ambition on ; From thence I 'le view the thing cal'd Honesty , And grieve 't is so contemn'd , and ought to be . — Man is like pliant Wax , That yields unto a fair Impression , Though sent not from the noblest Metall : And , in this world , it bears an equall show To seem but onely honest , or be so . And when the Crown 's once gain'd , there needs no fears : Crimes change their natures then , or Men change theirs . — Dye — Scruples — in my thoughts , And let my mind be a preposterous grave , That bore you first , to bury you again : — and your base issue — Fear — Dye too , when Beauty and a Crown 's so near . — Lycespes welcome ; what news ? Enter Lycespes . Lyces . All as you would have it , Sir : The Troop is march'd , and stays you in the VVood , Between this and the Castle . Phyl. Let 's follow then ; For Time 's a busie Offerer of our Interests To every check of Fortune . Lyces . VVe make some threescore Horse , VVhich will be three Divisions ; one for each Port. Phyl. Let Martianus command the last . As we go , I 'le give you perfect Orders . I wish they had some means to cherish a Resistance , That he may help to his own ruine ; He must not live to plead his innocence . But Time , that never will be staid , Calls us to act what we have scarcely waigh'd . [ Exeunt .

ACT. 1. SCEN. 4. Enter Princesse , Philena , Mironault . Prin. YOu 're welcome now , my Lord , and I desire No clowd may dwell on any brow ; Let no such prejudice happen amidst our sports . Mir. If you be not obey'd , admired Princesse , Where you command , it is extreamly strange ; And yet , I fear , 't is possible . Prin. As possible it is I may suspect my power . But , my Lord , I had forgot to put you in remembrance Of perfect 〈◊〉 storie you began , As you 〈…〉 it , of unhappy Lovers . Mir. The Princesse , Madam , Was taken by Phylanter , whose great valour , Shewn in that day , deserv'd all Prisoners : To whom he nobly offer'd Liberty , Without a Ransome , or Acknowledgment Unlesse to you . Before she thank't him , She made enquiry for the Prince , my Prisoner ; As if she knew not how to use Freedom nor life without him ; and by reason That he was full of wounds , Phylanter Waited upon her to my Tent ; at the first sight Of him she so much lov'd , cover'd with wounds , She stood amaz'd , perhaps too wish'd her self What she appear'd , but a dead Statue . At the same time he rais'd his feeble eyes , Which seem'd to take unkindly her delay . At that she came , and kneeling by him , Made such expressions of unfeigued grief , That though we understood not what she said , Yet that was plain enough . He now grew speechless , ( And she almost ) yet still with signes , That seem'd expressions of more trouble . For leaving her then all the world Within her arms , he died ; she but stayed To be assur'd that he was dead . Then with a haste , That shew'd a willingnesse to follow him , She drew a Viall from her bosom , And drank it off , before that we could hinder her ; Whose violence , on an enfeebled heart By so much grief , with unbelieved haste , Wrought Execution . Prin.

Poor Princesse ! 't was her hard fate to love ;

She had been else no more concern'd , Than those that now survive . Mir.

And she perhaps as unconcern'd to dye .

Nothing but a deserving Love Could have taught her a way so glorious To end all cares . She now enjoys him too , Or else insensible that e're she lost him . Prin.

Did that young Prince command that day the Army ?

Mir.

Yes , and , as we learnt , he was the Heir

To the Tartarian Empire . Prin. 'T is nothing but a Prince Could have been so unhappy to lose at once His Love , his Life , his Empire . [ Enter hastily Hyppasus , Lysander . Hyppasus takes Mironault aside . Hyp.

My Lord —

Mir.

Hyp.

Let not the Princesse see it :

The Castle is surrounded by a Troop of Souldiers , Commanded by Phylanter ; I fear you are their aim . Mir.

I ?

Hyp.

You may guesse the causes , Jealousie and Baseness .

Think , or you 'r lost . Mir.

Ha — 't is very happy .

Pys.

I don't understand that .

Mir.

I 'le presse them nobly : Are they many ?

Hyp.

They are divided , as we guesse . The gates are yet kept shut .

Pys.

I 'le go view , and instantly return .

[ Exit . Mir.

The Devill on the mischief ! if their aim

Be towards me , it must be for my life . A Parly cannot save me , I am resolv'd To sell it . Phil.

Upon my life , Madam , there 's some disorder .

View but the eyes of Mironault . Prin.

My Lord , why are you mov'd ?

Mir.

I , Madam ?

Prin

Pray , Sir , let me entreat of you the cause .

Hyp.

Nothing that ought to give you trouble , Madam ,

There 's something that requires The presence of my Lord without . Prin. If there be any that would speak with him , They shall be here dispatcht . Hyp. That cannot be , Madam . Prin. Come , my Lord . There 's something I can guesse at ( if I be not deceiv'd ) That does assure me , I may command you . What business breeds this alteration ? Mir. I dare not disobey you ; The Castle is surrounded by Phylanter With Troops of Soldiers ; and , as we guesse , My life 's their aim . Prin. The Castle surrounded ! and your life their aim ? It is impossible : they dare not think it . I will go see their rudenesse . Mir. Not for the world , they know that you are here : And their intents they 'l act unto their power . Prin. Is there a better way ? Mir. Yes any , rather than dye tamely , Pysa . For heaven's sake , Sir , resolve : Phylanter's now , Enter Pysander . Forcing the gates , being denied entrance For all his Souldiers , who loudly now Call you , A Traitor . Upon one side Which I 'le conduct you to , it is most probable You may escape — . Prin. Ah me ! Mir. May I believe , ( fair wonder of your Sex ) That though your cruelty designes my fate , Yet you 're displeas'd , that these should be The Executioners ? I shall then dare To oppose all their furies , that my Life May be Love's sacrifice alone ; forgive me too , If I dare own that Love , you frown upon . You need not scruple to grant this — , To any that must aske no more . And may that peace , you give my dying thoughts , For ever live with yours — . Prin. Pray say no more , think of your safety , Mir. See , she weeps — . With pitty ever dwells forgivenesse too , My wishes then are crown'd , and I can have No greater , unlesse that it were possible , I might hope more and live . Prin. O Mironault ! — So much confusion mingles with my thoughts , I know not what to say ; and yet I wish That you might live , and cannot be displeas'd , Though hope should be the cause . Mir. So Saylers in a sinking vessell , May see a calm begin — . This treacherous world , Never wants mischiefs to prevent The greatest blessings that are near-approaching , To crown man's greedy wishes . — But I mistake , to doubt that Life Which you have given leave I should enjoy . Who only have the power of it . This shall witnesse , [ Draw . How much I covet to preserve , What you wish safety to ; nor is it possible , That I should unsuccessfull prove , That have no other use for life but love ; [ Exeunt . Prin. The gods protect and guide you , O Phylena , What 's to be done ? Phy. Collect your self , dear Madam , all may be well , Let 's to a window , that o're-looks that side , Where they intended to break forth . Prin. I dare not see him fall . Phy. Fear not Madam , Heaven will preserve . So fair a Life , that has your prayers too . Prin. Hark , they are ingag'd , le ts see if it be possible , A noise of fighting . To give him more assistance than our wishes . [ Exeunt .

ACT 1. SCEN 5. Enter Mironault wounded , [ A noise . Mir. STay hasty drops , not to preserve The life that does pursue you . But the blest shrine , where Mirramente dwells , See , 't is not my wishes stayes the purple current : Man's still most near to dye , when he would live , And live when he would dye ; calamity , And , the more dangerous extream , prosperity Commits this violence upon mens wishes . Yet since the gods denied for either cause To destroy life , or to protect ; In stead of Choice , we should oppose Neglect . Hark , the noise increases still . [ Noise . — sure they are lost — They fought it nobly , though , if my ears Deceive me not , I hear some comming . Enter Hyppasus and Pysander . Ha Hyppasus and Pysander ! Then I am happy in spight of all misfortunes . Hyp. Dear Sir , you cut your way so nobly , We should have reach'd you sooner else . Pys. And so we had Sir , but two or three good-fellows Still staid us upon conference — Mir. Well , here 's no staying , we must forward ; But whither , Heaven knows ; 't was an unworthy action . Pys. For the honorable part of the story , Wee 'l , if you please , comment upon it hereafter . In the mean time , 't is more needfull to observe What a condition we are in to help one another . Hyppasus would make dainty whistles , My bones are already rattles : The best house of receipt I know would be an Hospitall . A noise again — On , good Sir . Hyp. The most by-ways must guide us . Mir. Heaven direct us — Pys. O what a speech could I now make Of this frail world . But however , I 'le not stay now to do it . [ Exeunt .

ACT 1. SCEN. 6. Enter Princesse , Philena . Prin. HE cannot sure escape . Phy. Rather believe he must , there is a better fate Reserv'd for so much worth . Our hopes are now The policy as well as justice of our hearts . You know we did discern , how o're the plain Some hasted single , and Pylander said , they were divided . At first you saw how fast he made his way , Triumph and Danger waiting on his Sword . The villains too , like dull opposing clowds , Gave way to the fair Sun ; And then Phylanter Was on the other side . Prin. Alas , Phylena , Fears are so powerfull , That in concerned breasts they govern all . Phyl. It is our follies that enthrones them so ; And to just wishes hopes are much more due : Use them , dear Madam — Prin. I need not blush , Phylena , to confesse , ( And yet I shall , whilst I am doing it ) That I have more concern for him Than others have . VVhen you know this , You will not judge your counsell then So easie to be followed — Phil. Pardon me , Madam , if I confesse , That I believ'd as much when I advis'd you . I have had many reasons for such thoughts From yours , though greater from his vertues . Prin. O Phylena , advise me how to do , not how to grieve . I see I must be forc'd to a hard exigent , To let him perish , or in his relief To appear too concern'd , though not too just . Phyl. Your reason , Madam , will not have leave To decide that ; 't is Love will be the judge Of all his dangers . But now , Madam , VVhat is the next thing we must act ? Or must we suffer too ? Prin. Nay , Heaven knows ; I sent one to enquire . Now — what 's the matter ? [ Enter a Servant . Ser. They say , Madam , they came for Mironault , Who had designes upon your Highnesse . Prin. And have they taken him ? Ser. No ; but we hope they will . He has left abundance hurt and dead . Prin. Go , be gone you fool ; you are all suspitious rascalls , Fain would be thought State-wise . Ser. Madam . Prin. Be gone , you hoping Coxcomb . There 's something more in this , Phylena . Phyl. I cannot guesse , unlesse it be Phylanter's jealousie , Urg'd by your constant favours unto Mironault . Prin. It s possible . Hark , a noise ; we shall be more inform'd . Enter Phylanter , and , being half enter'd , speaks Phyl. — Escap'd — Now by the gods your lives shall pay for all . You dogs and Cowards — — Madam , I humbly crave your pardon , My passion makes me hasly , when your Cause Gives the just anger . Prin. My cause , Sir ? Phyla . Excellent Princesse , Yours ; for this foul man That seem'd to pay his duty to you , Bore in his breast a traiterous designe Here to surprise you ; which I hearing of , Straight hasted to prevent it , though my fate Was too unhappy in the losse of him . Prin. Ha! Phyl. But let — Prin. Dost , thou not blush , or blush for me at least , That I have let thee injure Truth thus long ▪ And wrong'd an innocence , which never dwelt Within thy infant breast ? Stay not to reply , But leave me with your tumults . [ Exit . Phyl. Then I am lost ; my last stroak now I 'le strike , And strike it bravely too — Despair , Thou ha's the noblest issues of all ill , Which frailty brings us to , for to be worse We fear not , and who cannot lofe Is ever a franck Gamester . Nor will I fall alone , should he enjoy her , I should repining dye . Envie 's the vice That never leaves us till we fall from that , The best ompanion of a hastie fate : I 'le cherish it as others would a Vertue . He that declines himself — — when Chance or Fortune has declin'd him first , He learns of those mean helpers to do worst . [ Exit .

ACT 2.

SCEN. 1. Enter King , and Albertus . Alb. IT was this day , Sir , that he intended the surprise ; And , notice given my son , with such few men As he could get in readinesse , he hasted thither . Kin. 'T is well ; but take heed there be no foul play in 't . For Mironault has ever appear'd A subject fit to ruine mean suspitions . Alb. Love , Sir , can alter all ; none more than I Did hear ( and wonder , with a pittying thought ) This error of his hopefull Youth ; but when I think He is a Man , and Youth dwells in his veins , That still prepares for Beauty and Ambition , The easie heart . Then look upon the Princesse , And see in her the pain and pride of Nature , Her fresh unsullied beauty , that would tempt The gods to gaze and love ; I could almost forgive — — but must believe . Kin. Ha! Alb. To add unto the power of Love , and alf those joyes Her heavenly beauty brings a Kingdom too : Crowns the ambition of his high-fed youth , That makes all dangers lesse , from whose high top They see it lessen'd in the common vale , and onely fit To tame the spirits of the meaner minds . — he that dares do , Will act what his ambition tempts him to . Kin. I know not ; I would see just to all , and would be safe ; And Injuries are as unpleasing to me as Injustice , I would not bear the one , or act the other . When malice spreads a rancour in the breast , That needs a policy to bear it forth , The minds of Kings most think to fit with jealousie , As ever apt for that ; believing still , That all such fears dwells with their height of glory . Take heed , my Lord , that this so loose opinion Leads not your tongue , and casts that brand on me . I believe well of all . On farther proof I shall think best of you . Alb. Would I were well off . [ aside . We have not yet ( Great Sir ) so little left Of kindness to our selves , to play with Thunder ; Nor yet so mean — A thought of you , to let you live in danger . Heaven knows all the ambition that now rules our thoughts ; And all we hope for that should crown our wishes , Is to appear loyall to you , we are as free , ( Whilst you are so from danger ) , as a young Lamb From hate or malice . King . Nay my Lord , you do mistake , if you believe You suffer in my thoughts , I am prepar'd Still to reward your care , equally so To punish or preserve his crime , or innocence . When Kings do fall from this , and let each wind Conduct them with its giddinesse ; Their Kingdoms at the last , must suffer ship-wrack . Perhaps your innocence , may once as well Suffer unheard , from some malitious tongue : I never yet harbour'd an ill opinion , Rais'd from suspition , or a meaner thought From others envy , nor yet forget To cherish those , whose loyalties are greatest . Justice is still impartiall , and all Kings , Should only hold her scales : he that strives To weigh down one with power , is unjust To that Great King , that put him first in trust ; Alber. I 'me lost — [ aside . King . But my Lord ; we give you thanks now for your early care , We would have none discourag'd , to be loyall , 'T is that which will adorn you here , And help you to Eternity hereafter , Whilst men are just , pleasing rewards will live Within their breasts ; greater then I can give . [ Exit . Alber. Hee 's gone . — — I would his honesty were too , That sits upon him like so fit a garment , The workman's paid , to have the credit of it . Hee 'l help the gods to many customers . How now ! [ Enter a messenger . Mes. My Lord ; — Alber. From whence comest thou , — Ha , — What newes ? my mind mis-gives . — Mes. From your Son . Alber. Why , what 's the newes ? Mes. But ill , — when that your son Had round beset the Castle , and all thought sure , The gallant Mironault , in his fearlesse mind Weighing the bonds of death , and of an enemy , In perfect scales ; the first appear'd the lightest , And through one Port , bravely with his two friends , Issued like Lightning which foretells a Clap , And Thunder follow'd too : whilst in despight Of their resistance , through their lives He forc'd his way and safety . — Alb. And so escap't ? Mes. Yes , but they are still pursuing ; the Princesse too , When that your son appear'd , as if her eyes Had borrow'd , rage from the afrighting danger , That Mironault was in ; upon her brow Inthron'd it with revenge , and so with threats , Left him unto his fears , who by me Desires you to retire straight from Court , Whither the Princesse now directs her haste , And march with all your forces ; no other way Is left to make Conditions . In the mean time , He 's still pursuing Mironault . Alb. 'T is unhappy . Mess. Necessity has left no other means : Without this , he bids me tell you , You may dye tamely . Alb. Well , I must go ; it is the fate of guilty men , That such should seek at safety through more crimes . Men are unhappy when they know not how To value Peace without its losse ; And from the want learn how to use , What they could so ill manage when enjoy'd . Ambition gives this blindnesse , yet permits The eyes to gaze upon her tempting baits ; But in attempting , not what dangers are , They see the Throne , and not the blazing Star . Thus foolish his ungovern'd youth Has made us both alike , Who , rather than to share a common good , Ventur'd through danger at uncertain glory : Nor could my power or prayers perswade him from it . With such a grief the Ruler of the day Shook his illustrious tresses , when he heard The ambitious Phaeton make his bold Request , — who did prefer — Before the counsell of the god himself , The long'd-for glories of his glittering Throne . Yet Phoebus mourn'd , the bonds of Nature tye Faster then our own good or honesty . [ Exit .

ACT 2. SCEN. 2. Enter Princess , Phylena . Prin. THat I had wings , Phylena ; this revenge Justice it self will follow . Phyl. Pray heaven , Madam , no designer Has been before us . Prin. It is my fear . Phyl. But yet , You may be confident of your father's temper , Which does dispence Justice with deliberation Besides your interest . Prin. Would we could learn what were become of him . They still pursue him , sure ; and heaven preserve His noble life from an untimely fate . How the State-rascalls too were pleased VVith the suspition of a trecherous danger ; And grew as busie as a new wak't Fly , At the first news of Summer . Phyl. There is a basenesse runs through all their veins , And ranckles in their bloods , which to their children Descends ; a loath'd Inheritance . Prin. But who are these ? Enter Amione and Follower . Phyl. A very handsom person . Prin. Extreamly fair , I swear ; she bends this way . Amio. Excellent Princesse — [ she kneels . Pardon the rude griefs of a distressed Maid , That throws her at your feet ; for your clear eyes ( VVhich sends a comfort upon pleased beholders ) To see and pitty ; you , that nature gave Perfections above all ; 't is you alone VVe must believe excells in goodnesse too . Nothing that 's ill can have so fair a dwelling . You shall have still a Virgin 's prayer , That yours may ne're successlesse fly To those above , that those fair blossoms Never have cares for to disturb their calmnesse , Or force a wrincle on those snowy plains ; But may the beauty of a peace within , Preserve and equall those your outward lustres . Prin. Rise , pretty Maid , you should have ask'd and tri'd , VVhether at first I had been worth these prayers . She must be very good that does deserve 'em ▪ See , Phylena , flowers , I swear , she rises weeping Receive not so much sweetnesse from fresh drops , As she from those . Her grief adds to her sweetnesse . VVhat is it , gentle Maid , you would desire ? Promise your self , if I can help you in 't . Amio. The gods reward you . Let me but blush , And I will say , the act may too ; he is too near That I should tell you more . And yet , me-thinks , He does deserve as much as I can say ; And his cause named to my poor heart , Seems eloquence enough to move a pitty . Pardon my disturbed passions . Prin. Nay , fairest Maid — You injure me and your own hopes together , To keep me in suspence : I would as willingly Yield you my aid , as you could haste to ask it , For the blest subject of your fair opinion . Amio. I do not doubt your goodnesse ; pardon the throng Of all my tedious griefs . Know then , You best of Princesses , for sure his name Has reach'd your ears , the unhappy Mironault , That much deserv'd to live , is like to fall By bloody and unworthy hands . Prin. O Phylena ! I 'me lost . [ aside . In that beauty is all my comfort buried . Phyl. Madam , what do you mean ? Madam , for heaven's sake ; why , Madam ? Prin. I prethee let me go , thou art too cruell . I shall enjoy peace undisturb'd hereafter . Phyl. But hear her out , and do but search the truth , Then I will let you die . I would not for the world Any should guesse the cause . Prin. Alas ! Phyl. Why , if they do , they cann't condemn the grief . Prin. O Phylena , when Love has entred in the outward Forts , Yet there is still a small reserve of Reason , Which Love laughs at , rather than thinks it worth His rage or storming ; for he knows it must Perish and starve , when the relief Of all the nobler Faculties are kept out By the insulting Conqueror , who contemns All the attempts I fain would make against him . Amio. I see I am decreed to all misfortunes , she speaks as no minded . That I should now disturb you too , who , heaven knows , I willingly would please . Why do you turn Away your head ? How often have I heard His prayers sent to heaven for your joys , That now denies to look upon his woes ? I 'le kneel again , for in such a cause It were impiety to rise successelesse . Nothing but Seas and Winds are deaf to prayers , And Beasts to mercy ; who would expect A hidden form in undisturbed skies ? Or in that clearer breast a cruelty ? If you deny , I 'le grow a fixed Monument , Still to upbraid your rigour . Prin. O Phylena , why do you let me languish ? In her beauty dwells an undoing lustre . Phyl. What mean you , Madam ? can you believe The world can shew a subject for your jealousie ? Amio. I see I grow a trouble , I durst have sworn You had been more charitable . How often have I heard The now unpittied Mironault affirm , You were the treasure of this world's perfections ; And wondred any thing but your fair self Should know what joys were . Perhaps you too Believe as much , or else you could not think All his unpittied miscries are just . Had Nature Given you a Brother , and your early loves Blest undisturb'd from Nature's fruitfull Cradle , You would have begg'd — as now — His hopelesse sister does . But sure I should have pittied more . And yet perhaps our interests makes us partiall : Yes I could wish I had your power to try . Phyl. Now , Madam — Prin. Forgive me , gentle Maid ; it was the power Of thy told griefs that seiz'd my faculties , And left me able to do nought but grieve . Forgive the time I lost to share with thee : You may forgive the injuries of kindnesse . And though my self were witnesse to the action Thy griefs made it a new afflicting story . Each storm renews in Merchants minds The story of the shipwrack . Nor do I blush To avow this , since I must not lose The justnesse of my breast , that does believe His innocence above suspition . Amio. May heaven inspire you to wish well , And grant your wishes too , you might have then , Perhaps , a joy as great as he would have , Did he but know you pitty him . Prin. In the performance then of what I say , He will have more ; which I so much wish him That you shall witnesse all pursued with haste . Nor shall you be a stranger longer to me . Yet I shall blush , although I give you leave To see the partiality : but more time Now spent in grass or leaves , would be his injury . And we may ruine , what we would relieve , Should we without attempting succour grieve . [ Exeunt .

ACT 2. SCEN. 3. Enter Mironault , Hyppasus , Pysenor . Pys. WOuld I were a Dog , and could lick my self whole . I shall be as fly-blown , as a ruine cheese , How i's t Hyppasus ! Hyp. But scurvy , would we might rest . Miro . O me ; 'T is an unhappinesse , that I should bring You into these misfortunes , you have deserved Better of me , and yet you may forgive me , I would have shared as much with you . Hyp. We would not make such an excuse then , Sir . Miro . You chide me nobly , I find , I need some rest . And yet by all those powers , that caused these mischiefs , My life shall end them , e're I 'le be his prisoner . Pys. Nay , wee 'l all dye ; I hope 't is no offence To talk of saving our sweet lives ; In order to that , this next fair house Must be our Garrison , 't is ten to one , But there we find some three or four brown loaves , To victuall us for a day ; perhaps a sample Of good seed-Corn , lies in the parlour Cubbard ; We shall eat moderately , come we must advance And storm it . Hyp. You have no other way Sir , we are so weak , There is no refuge else , and we are still Hotly pursued , if they intend our mischiefs , VVe may hold out against that petty number ▪ If they raise more , we too shall have relief By the Princesse , or your friends ; if not , VVe may make some Conditions . — Miro . A wretched shift , and yet it may preserve us , But let us use it nobly : Heaven guide us . Pys. I 'le advance , and knock : Within there ▪ Ho! [ knock . He struck so hard , the bason broke , — Enter Peter . Ho! what a Tarquin's here , Pet. VVho have we here ? Pys. Two or three strangers that have lost their way . Pet. And you would be directed . Pys. Pox on your nimble Charity ; [ Aside . We have been sett upon by thieves , and hurt , And must desire some small refreshment . Pet. Why , this 't is ; The age is grown so perfect now , That all fall's in the way of Begging , And by the word Refreshment . Pys. Nay , Sir , none of your moralities on the age , Help us to the speech of the Master , Or Mistris of the house , It must be so , Sir ; Pet. Here 's neither . Pys. What the Devil i's t . Pet. A Lady . Pys. Plague on your formall Coxcomb . Let s see your Lady then , Pet. That 's more then shee 'l do you . Pys. By this light , but she shall . Pet. Had she sworn so , she had been for-sworn ; Pys. Sir , we would willingly be Civill , Pray let 's receive your Ladie 's answer , But no more of yours : Pet. You shall have it . — [ Exit . Pys. This Rogue has bagg pipes in his Lungs . A meer Land-Remora , we wanted but the plague To have heard his pedigree ; He had learn't the policy of the old Roman , To ruine by delayes ; we might have fainted Under his wise Cunc-tator-ship . Hyp. 'T was a rare Scene , be sure , Pysenor , You shall have none of the best drink . Miro . VVhen she comes , you shall be chief , And we your humble servants . Pys. And I 'le be insolent enough : now Sir , For such a Bird as the Princesse . Miro . Nay Pysenor . — Pys. Hang it , this love , 't will make your wounds ranckle . There 's nothing like a merry plaister . Hark , I hear them rusling , Enter Caeca , Ruinever , and Peter . Mercy on us , what have we here , December , with the too scurvy months at her heels ? She ha's dig'd up all her ancestors ; And wrap't their winding sheets about her , I 'le advance . Caeca . VVhere stands he , Peter ▪ Peter . Straight on ; now must not I proceed For fear I should discover , she were blind . Pys. VVhither a divell will she march She goes straight on . Hippasus , lie down in the way , Hyp. And be hanged , put on your serious face , Pys. Save you sweet Reverence . Caeca . Are you the Gentleman ? Peter , is this he ? Pet. Yes , forsooth . Pys. Slight , shee 'd have her man make affidavit of it , [ aside . VVe are those Madam , that would fain obtain Some pitty in your eyes , — why , — shee 's blind , [ aside . Blind , as an old Do-Cunny . — VVe want a Charity , and we hope That your grave years , ha's taught you that fair story , Caeca . From whence come you ? Pys. VVe are Gentlemen , and have been hurrby thieves . You need not fear to help our hard misfortunes , Our weak Conditions cannot threaten danger , You may believe , we would deserve your kindnesse , And our lives , which if you preserve , Shall wait upon your beauty . Hyp. What a dissembling tongue the rogue has , [ aside . Pys. We went as long , as we could gain a leave From weaknesse , as unwilling — To be a burthen to any , but our fates Threw us on you , for which we dare not chide them . Hyp. This rogue would court a bitch — [ aside . Pys. Sirrah , I 'le fit you . — Caeca . A fine well-spoken gentleman . Pys. For if we did , we should be too unjust For you must needs be good , because the gods Let you so long live to instruct the world , — Or else afraid of your blind company — [ aside . But at your feet — We throw our selves and all our miseries , And cancell fear , whilst we expect to hear Our doom from your fair lips . Caeca . Quinever . Quin. Madam . Caeca . I's t a handsome man ? Quin. Yes indeed , as e're I saw . Caeca . I feel just such a Qualm , as I had When I was still falling in love , he has a sweet tongue . Noble gentleman , you 're very welcome ; You shall have all you want , pray come neer : Indeed , I am much taken with your speech , 'T is very curteous , once in my youth I understood these complements , And have not yet forgot them ; I shall remember them more fresh If you repeat them . Pys. Why so , I shall be engaged to tell tales [ aside In the chimney-corner . Caec . Peter , Go in , get the best chambers ready ; Let them have something presently to eat . Pray come in , you 'r very welcom . Your hand , good Sir . Pys. We are your servants . Now do I walk Like the great Turk , that newly has put out The eyes of an old kinswoman . Here we shall find Good Fortune sure , for that whore too is blind . [ Exeunt .

ACT. 2. SCEN. 4. Enter King solus . Kin. HOw much unknown is reall happinesse ? And all are cheated with the name of thing ? Or we are all deceiv'd , or else the joy Grows poor by the enjoyment ; to me A Crown 's a glorious misery , Suspition waits on all our appetites , And sleep not pleases but affrights . Kings have hard ways for to preserve a Crown , To give to others fears , and hide their own . The way 's but narrow between frowns and smiles , To avoid both Contempt and Tyranny . For either is a Rock to split upon This glorious and frail Bark of Majesty ; When-People do not ask , and yet Kings give , Content and safety with them both may live . But when they venture to reform the State , Princes must suffer then By their own fears , or by their people's hate . They hide still what they mean in a redresse , And know ill acts are buried with successe . Seek peace in storms , and in disorder safety , — Till in a Chaos they have felt Constraint and Freedom undistinguisht dwelt . Their first fond way to reach at Liberty Is , to assault those they believe too high . And had the gods not Thunder , sure there are That would attempt — — to light a Candle at a Star . But Kings , like Suns , that at some time must pay Their lustres in another Sphear , must leave Stars fitted with influence to direct this night . — Yet , like the Queen of Night , to know , That to his beams their lustre they do owe. O Symathocles , you 'r welcom ; Did you dispatch Enter Symathocles . What I directed you ? Sym , I did , Sir ; and the Troops were marching , But the arrivall of the Princesse prevented . Kin Is she come , then ? Sym. But now arrived , Sir . Kin. 'T is well , Symathocles . You have heard sure of the late accident : 'T is odd ; What think you ? Sym. 'T is hard to guesse , Sir , easier far to doubt . The Princesse must inform us all . Kin. I have suspended too my thoughts in this . Haste is an ill companion still to Justice . And whilst we hear at distance things unprov'd , The story of their lives prevails still most , That has been fair in Mironault . Yet our frailty Guides us to unsuspected acts , so may the best of men Fall to the least suspected crimes ; that weaknesse Crows with our years , and alteration●s still By Nature nur● . Sym. You have weighed , great Sir , Things in so just and serious a scale , That whilst thus evenly you preserve your mind , You 'l need no other Oracle ; mean hasty fears Still tyranny begets , non can deserve Their safety , that attempt it that way That poorly tells the world , he fears the reach Of common hands ; none but the Eagles gaze Upon the Sun , unlesse it shrinck in clowds . Nor do the common eyes attempt your glories , Till shrouded in your fears . He 's still most safe That tells the world , He cannot be in danger , For they 'l believe it then , and 't is most just , If they will borrow fears , that he should trust . Justice will then be ripe , when every thought Takes its slow birth neither from fear nor passion . And 't will be fruit worthy a King to bear , And bless the appetites of them that gather . Kin. You have hit my thoughts ; See , Enter Princess , Pylora , Followers . Here comes more Information . I 'le see if she 'l begin . — Rise , you are welcom . [ Prin. kneels . Prin. I must not , Sir , till I receive — more then a common Blessing — Your Justice is enough to case my fears . Yet pardon me , if so much of Woman rules me , To tell you all I suffer'd . Kin. What mean you ? Prin. Great Sir , you might believe indeed I should be undisturb'd , where you procure Peace from your carefull thoughts . And sure it was The child of Insolence and high Contempt That curst attempt the rudenesse . Kin. It was so , but to the matter . Prin. When at my journey's end I was arrived , Thither came Mironault in his own language To pay a duty which he owed your child ; Where being scarcely rested , and resolved With the next rising Sun to seek our sport , But word was brought , the Castle was surrounded By Soldiers , commanded by Phylanter ; Their businesse was for Mironault , who they said Went to surprise me there , who onely came With two brave friends , and I dare swear with thoughts As innocent as Infants ; when he heard The Castle was be-set , seriously weighing Not Justice sought his life but Treachery , Disdain'd to fall upon so mean a score . As an ungovern'd Torrent issues forth , Bearing down all before it , and in the action Finds its unknown power , when its streams Are with a stop resisted , o're-whelming What was believ'd beyond its power before . So from resistance his disdaining rage Atchiev'd a victory , which his thoughts Would ne're have hop'd nor aim'd at ; still Philanter's rage Pursues his noble life . This is enough Whilst you are just , nor need I to repeat The injury to me . Kin. But they perhaps Might have a secret message of the intent Of Mironault , you would be loath I see To have one testifie as much . Prin. You cannot find one so extreamly bad , So far from being to himself a friend ; His story in the world has nobler truths , Than to be fouled by any base accuser . If all were true , it is your justice sure , And not their furie , that should punish . Kin. For farther satisfaction of you ; Who waits there ? Go call the Lord Albertus hither . [ Exit Messenger . Prin. In this petition too , Sir , oyns with me This Maid , who from one womb With the unhappy Mironault took her birth : You will have many knees as he has hearts ; And yet none needs to beg , for you are just : Yet you must pardon those loves that mix with fears . We oftner then we need wipe pretious Jewells . His value makes us foolish . Kin. He is beholding to you — How now — Enter Messenger . Mess. The Lord Albertus , Sir , is fled As soon as he came from your Majesty , He instantly took Horse . Kin. He was in haste — Symathocles — Sym. Sir . Kin. Gather the Forces in a readinesse That were to meet my daughter , then wait For further Orders . Sym. I shall , Sir . [ Exit Syma . Kin. Your pardon , fair Maid , that I seem'd so to forget you ; It onely was my care , you shall have justice And should have had without an Advocate , Your beauty though 's a great one . Amio. The gods preserve your Majesty , with your years May peace still grow , that give it unto others , Till you shall go to have eternall rest . Kin. Thanks , gentle Maid , the rich Arabian Fumes Are not so sweet to the delighted gods , As thy calm prayers from thy harmlesse breast . Come hither , Mirramente , I have not been At leisure yet to bid thee kindly welcom . Prin. Pardon me , Sir , that I must once again Trouble your ears , nor think too lightly , Sir , Of my request , it is the child of gratitude . I would in person , Sir , relieve Him , that has suffer'd for my sake , And in my sight contemn'd . Kin. Symathocles , would you not take it ill To have a Generall put o're your head ? Sym. Not , if it may serve you , Sir . Kin. Look here , Symathocles , this Amazon has begg'd it . Sym. She does the better , Sir , if there be danger From her fair name we all shall fight in safety . Kin. Well , take your course , on more intelligence Move as you please . [ Exit King . Sym. Excellent Princesse , — How happy I am now to be your Soldier , Let those be judge that would be sure of victory . So fair a Cause fought by so fair a Generall , — Can never be forsaken By Victory or Fortune — Prin. I thank you , Sir , nor can I think my self Lesse happy in so brave a Soldier ; if you please For to dispatch before for some intelligence , Wee 'l instantly away . Sym. With all speed , Madam . [ Exit Syma . Manent Princess & Amione . Amio. Excellent Princesse ; Which way to tell you all my heart returns I know not , the gods in blessings thank you , Who still assist the innocent and mean , Because they made them so ; Prin. I thank you gentle Maid , from hence my friend , You cannot cheat my confidence , you 'l deserve it , So does your Brother all my best assistance , I reckon it my happinesse , to procure Your joyes and safety ; that I may then Have mine more perfect . Amio. Now all the powers defend , they should not be : You never sure broke yet an houres repose With a disturbing dream ; in that calme harbour , All thoughts have been secur'd from storm , May they be ever so . — Prin. Thy brother's cause deserves as much as that . — A thousand blushes stop me , — [ aside . Besides thou mayest be much deceived : the ship-wrack past , The calmest waters may conceal the fate , As well as the insulting waves , Amione weeps . — Why doest thou weep . — Amio. To hear , you have been sad , O Madam , Pardon me , to say an undiscerned power Ioynes my affliction to your grief ; Forgive me that , I cannot chuse but dare , To accompany you in any thing . There 's something tells me , that I ought to love you More then the world does , yet that 's very much . Prin. When I first saw thee , dearest maid , I could have sworn as much , And yet thou didst not please me then , Come , I shall disturb thee , 't is an unkindnesse Not to be pardon'd , to let thee share my griefs ; Amio. Now you afflict me more : Is there a way , To be a friend and stranger to your breast , Though 't is ambition , to be an humble one ? 'T is vertue , not your greatnesse crowns my wishes , And I shall fear , that you will think me only A friend to that , or else not worth the other . Prin. I do not doubt thy Love , the story will Disturb me , when I tell it , perhaps thee , And yet it must return to me unhelpt . Amio. How do you know ? the meanest thing in nature , May bring an unexpected aid ; Gyants that passe , And lets the obstacles alone , do lesse Then dwarfs that do remove them : as they are Shut in your breast , fed with that pretious food , How can they ever starve ? they may at last Consume your stock of joyes , he does like you , That would defend , within a fair built Fort , His enemies against his pressing friends And patiently destroyed by those he saved , If you believe me worthy , the gods have then Finish't their parts ; for they decreed us most To one anothers aid : So to encrease Our joyes that way , and lessen all our cares , For still imparted comforts do increase , And grief divided to a friend grows lesse , Our natures too are like o'recharged springs , Willing to vent themselves , and so are you , Had I but as much worth , as you have trouble . Prin. I am not proof against thy perfect kindnesse , I will keep nothing from thee , but be sure You quickly understand me , my blushes too Will tell thee half the storie , what dos't guesse ? Amio. That you should have no cares — Prin. Can love have any ? Amio. What in this world shall ever be so happy ? I hope it is not that — Prin. And why ? Amio. A thousand times I have heard my brother pray That day might never be , I wish as he does too . Prin. Your Brother would not have me then ? — How innocent she is ! — [ aside . Amio. He thinks it were unreasonable That one alone should make the world unhappy . Weighing their own misfortunes from his joy's I hope it is not that : Prin. 'T is that I swear . Love has caused all my trouble , And if thy brother thinks me such a blessing Why doth not he then wish it ? Amio. Alas he dares not welcome such a thought He onely dares to wish none else should have you ; But who must be so happy ? Prin. Your Brother . Amio. Madam ? Prin. Wonder no more , I could have told When I first saw thee that me-thought I lov'd thee As I would do a sister ; yet I was jealous too : Nay I shall blush , as much as thou canst wonder , Yet he deserves my Love ; sure you did then Read a confusion in me ; and I am still , Disorderd by my fears ; Amio. O Madam , — — Pardon me to say the gods have justly so Decreed that it should be : for I have heard Him sit and please himself with stories of you , Till he has made his griefs too monstrous , And I thought then too prodigall of comfort , Yet now I think 't was all but due to you ; And though I am turnd of his religion too And can think nothing superstition in 't , Yet you may spare the sacrifice . Prin. Sweetest maid , I have some reason to believe he loves me , He cannot sure dissemble ; Wert thou ne're yet in love ? Amio. Never ; Prin. Pray that thou never mayst , or that it ne're Have fears for it's Companions , night will wear Disturbing blacknesse and not quiet shades , The light will be too cheerfull , whilst you fare Like an impatient Sea-man that would fain Attain the Port , the gentlest calm Makes mad , and crossing storms disturbs But from our own experience thus we raise Advices that are chid and and scorn'd by Fate Who oftnest sends what we least wish , and makes What we most covet most unfortunate : But now to his relief , for time Persues his course with an impartiall haste And my revenge must sit upon his wings . You Powers above what now is just assist : Their thoughts were poor , that trifled time and wisht . [ Exeunt .

ACT. 3.

SCEN. 1. Enter Mironault Solus . Mire. TO be still subject to calamities , We all must bear : yet not esteem it hard Our frailty sets this odds from higher powers , And their dis-orders are appeas'd by ours , It is a hard injunction of the gods To set our natures and our selves at odds When they afflict though due unto our crimes , Yet they give to the nature that repines Though if we use it well , none but they give That blessing , that we are displeas'd to live 'T was life first cousned man , and did entice By knowledge its fair gift to cheat him twice ; Man was a happy stranger to himself , When he believ'd his ignorance his wealth ; Did these Extreams our knowledge ne're employ VVe should have lesse of cares , though lesse of joy , For in the mind , they never gain a height From their own natures but each others weight ; Thus truly man has either more or lesse , From what he had , not what he does possesse . As if the god's would give us nothing here VVorthy of our affections , but our fear , For should we fall from happinesse the store Makes us more wretched of those joy 's before . Such a disease is life we hold so dear , Health's in the other world , our Physick here ; — O — Hypposus — what 's to be done Enter Hyppasus . Fortune has strangely jaded us — Hyp. Heaven knows : I am confident we are persued , The house is strong , had we but any men VVe might resist their numbers , and by that time They have supplies , we may have too relief . Miro . Where 's Pysander ? Hyp. Shifting from the old blind Lady , who follows him As if he were her dog and led her , And as the devil would hav'it , her reverend blindness Is at a venter ●am in love Miro . We must resolve of some thing , and what 's most hard In ignorance , and without any aid : so may a ship , With wounds in pieces torn , expect as well To sail or fight ; — — And yet me thinks there might be made Some use of this Pysander's fooling . Hyp. By the Masse it 's true , she has Tenants That were obliged , without all doubt to assist her In the holy War ; they live here till they dye Of the infection of old age ; see Sir , Where Pysander comes marching with her maid . Enter Pysander Quinever . Mir. Let 's conceal our selves a little , and observe . Pys. Nay , by this light I 'le ne're lye for the matter . If thou hast no faith thou 'lt be damn'd . Quin. Say you so , Sir ? Pys. How couldst thou chuse but guesse it ? didst thou e're know A dunghill without a Cock upon 't . Meer sympathy Guides me to love thee , dost thou not find Some such kind of thing for me ? Quin. Indeed I have a grudging towards you . Pys. The devill take up the quarrell . [ aside . Nay 't is grown to that I dream on thee , Me-thought last night I rode a Flanders Mare , And every night I dream of a fresh Beast , And then I think on thee . Hyp. What means the Rogue ? Mir. Peace , on my life he has some farther purpose . Hyp. Lord how she I wells , hold a stick of fire to her And she 'l pisse . Pys. But since I love you so , you must assist me In what I told you , for I should be loath Now to be taken from thee ; and I know The rascalls will attempt the house for me . This can be brought about no other way , But by report that I should marry Thy Lady , for then all her Tenants Will be the willinger to assist me . But all this while thou shalt be dear Lindabrides , Thou shalt rule and govern ; and for thy comfort Above pragmaticall Peter ; and , by this hand , If he at all crosse us in this designe , I 'le hang a thousand crackers at his britch , Then throw him off from some high Tower , In a high wind , hung between bladders ; And all this for thy love . Quin. And will you still be constant ? Pys. As a Bell , still in one Tune : And that we may be suddain , and I safe To follow our Amours , perswade thy Lady And instantly conduct her this way . Quin. I 'le take my leave first — [ she kisses him . [ Exit Quin. Pys. Slid , her lips are lin'd with Cosier's wax , She kiss'd me in a full Career . Sure she has hoarded up a store of onyons In her dry chaps , to butter against winter . The Devill 's troubled but with one Dam , I have two — And there 's a formall Weathercock , They look which way the wind sits by him , That from deliberation fetches wisdom ; And when he gapes at bed-time , 't is a clinch For my blind Mistresse now , whose chaps are mew'd Of all their teeth , which yet she hopes again Will spring like a fell'd Copice , and from the gums New sprouts shoot up , she 's almost deaf , Would she were dumb too , for her tongue 's oblig'd To supply other organs , and tells us all Her life , perhaps the History Of twenty years a time — This thing Must I make love to , with brevity and ease . I 'le go through all the scenes of Courtship with her , She shall have Serenades on an old Jews-trump , That was Pirk-abboths , an emblem of antiquity , And all my little Oaths shall be By Cupid's Eye and hers , the Devill 's in 't If I am then forsworn — O how now , Mironault and Hippasus appear . What are you bolted ? Come Gentlemen , What 's to be done ? Hyppasus , thou wert wont To be nimble at sudden chances . Hyp. How insolent the Rogue is ? now he thinks We know not his design . Mir. Nay , Pysander , we referr'd all to you , We onely are your poor friends . Pys. Well , a Mathematician would not have breath enough To tell the kindnesse of my Starrs — Mir. But for this rare fortune — Pys. Why my old vessell is sailing this way , When she appears , stand close And you shall hear it . Mir. Come I conceive , and did over-hear Some of your policy , and believ 't There is no other way to save us now . If we can get but men , 't is but throwing A work up in two places , the other parts Are strong enough . Pys. That shall be my care too , but when you see The old Beldam comming , be sure you vanish . Mir. We must be quick , our time has straitned us . As soon as they can have intelligence They will be here . Pys. What if we could send away to Court ? Mir. I 'le rather perish than believe I can Be worth her care . Pys. VVhy thanks then to Pysander That believes himself — VVorthy his own — Hyp. VVould her Ladiship were come . Prethee Pysander let 's have no time delay'd In asking how she does , and what 's a clock . Pys. Thou hast reason to be more confident of my wit . — See where they come — Enter Caeca and Quinever . And like the Graces leading one another . Let 's over-hear a little . Caec . Indeed he is a proper Gentleman , And 't is great pitty he should suffer . Quin. It is indeed , I would not for my Maiden-head It should be in your house . Pys. Nor I by this light . [ aside . Caec . I think as much ; indeed he speaks as well As any that I knew these six King's Reigns : VVhere is he , Quinever ? Quin. He said he would be hereabouts . Hyp. Now Pysander uncouple them . Pys. So I may be hunted , but I 'le advance . — Save your sweet Ladiship — I took the boldnesse , urged by my love , To trouble your kind ears with a petition . Caec . You 'r very welcome , I shall be glad to hear it ; And though I am old , and people think decay'd , I can tell how to judge a worthy Gentleman . Hey ho , in my time I have heard many complements , And blest was he could gain but a good look . Pys. He shall be damn'd now that does . [ aside . Caec . The world and I am alter'd . Pys. A Carthusian swear the world is , — I 'le swear for thee . Caec . And yet I have warm blood now in my veins , And it will beat sometimes : I have heard men say , That age has vigour lies within . Pys. She 'l tell me by and by she can fart fire . [ aside Caec . And so indeed — Pys. I must interrupt her ; But you forget To hear what your poor servant asks . Caec . I pray what is 't ? Pys. First I must beg you , that you 'l have the confidence To believe , I love you ; old Lutes Still sound the sweetest ; many a man Has travailed many miles , and tedious wayes , To see a lesser monument , and since I love you , I would preserve my happinesse , sure you ought then To return equall kindnesse . Caeca . By my troth , but justice , and indeed , I will , I shall not be so cruell to grieve you long So worthy a kind gentleman ; I esteem A tedious coynesse vice , you put me in mind Of my old principles , in my Grand-mother's time . Pys. That 's according to a new account , Three hundred years before the world begun . [ aside . Caeca . And as I was saying in her time Matters were quickly ended , I am still Of the old fashion . Pys. In short , then , since you see I love you , I must beg your assistance ; for these rogues That hurt us , as I hear , are now hard by . Your Tenants , and a few servants would with ease Defend us from these wanderers , that I may Enjoy my happinesse with safety . This your Commands With ease may finish , and I blesse The fate that brought me hither . Caeca . I pray your selfe command them , You shall have full power , that in time Must be my husband . Pys. Plague on your nimblenesse , how she mumps , — [ aside . Caeca . When my last husband Sir Percivall died , I little thought to have had another suiter ; But you men have the power to winn us , And I can tell you , such a tempting Gentleman . Pys. For ought she knows , a Sign-post With Friar Bacon's brazen head upon 't , — [ aside . — If you please Madam , I will attend you , When your Commands have setled us in safety , I shall presume to tell you my Love's story . Caeca . I shall be glad to hear it , pray lead on , What you Command , shall be a law . — [ Exeunt . Manent , Mironault & Hyppasus . Mir. Yet Hyppasus , we breathe ; and safety now Begins to wear an easie shape . Hyp. The rogue has work't them finely . — Mir. By Heaven , he is the best composed man , I e're yet knew , for in the worst extreams , His cheerfulnesse , and judgment is the same ; We are prepared ; if they find us now , Phylanter's bold to bring them on to action , Fortune but guide , an equall sword to mine , And borrow frowns from all the destinies To hang upon thy then contemned brows . Hyp. But I believe , they never will attempt us But seconded with more , for they will fear What may proceed from Court . Mir. Never believe , he would attempt this action , But with some feigned story to my prejudice . Hyp. But the Princesse , Sir , seem'd to resent the injury , She is too noble , meanly to suspect . Mir. Alas , Hyppasus , they before corrupted His goodnesse that should incline to her , These flatterers beset the thoughts of Kings , As an ill enemy besieges Towns , First poisons the fair springs . Hyp. These are the worst of fears , we may as well Hope , that his judgment scorns unlikely stories . But let the worst that fortune can prepare Fall unregarded on us , the least defence Will help us to the noblest fare . Mir.

Nobly resolved . —

And when we fall so brave , The world will find more losse , then we can have . [ Exeunt .

ACT 3. SCEN. 2. Enter Peter , and Quinever . Pet. NAy , you had best teach her to beat a drum , Do you think to make her now an old blind Amazon . We shall have the Sheriff to send warrants for u● , Thus to raise Forces , and not se defendo ; Quin. Lord , how wise you are good Peter , at least You would fain seem so , I can tell , I 'me sure , Where you have all your wisenesse . Pet. Where , good Quinever ? Quin. All your law , out of the two old leaves That lye behind the parlour-cupbord ; Piece , they say , of an old Stature book , Which has been rotting there these twenty years . And for your other talk , 't is taken out Of your old Erra-pater ; and you , forscoth , Must seem to be more wise then all of us . I 'me sure , when you made love to me , And once were out of these two trodden roades , You could not speak a word , but just , How do you . And that repeated over with variety , Of scurvy tones , nay . — Pet. Why , art thou mad , or dost thou think it fit , My Lady , should defend all wandring strangers , And enter into warres ? I am resolved To change my station , they are digging up earth Before the Gates , I can't passe by , But I must think of graves , men too brought in , I think , to fill them . Quin. Hang your sheep's face , I see that now 't is fear , That your wise worship with your wonted ease , Should not at leisure drink your morning draught , And at the Alehouse for two pots Hear your selfe praised , And bribe a man to come to you for counsell That never had need of any , you have worn your Gloves out With biting your thumbs ends , to appear wise . All this put together , got from my Lady's purse , Thou hast been as chargeable as a Regiment . Pet. Why , Mrs. Quinever , sure you once had Better opinions of me , though you now Wash every day your best handkerchief With yellow starch , and your lac'd quoiff , Till it now hangs as if the devill Had srighted you through quicksetts , not a post But must be beaten for the rotten powder To make your hair sit well , and all in hopes That some of these should fall in love with you . I vas once thought worthy , then I was honest Peter . Quin. Marry come up , what , love that transparent nose of thine That gives the Serenades when thou sleepest ? Or thy wide mouth like a dead Lobster's claws , Or thy starcht ruff like a new Pigeon-house , Your garters tied above your boots ; as if you feard Your leg so well provided would be gone . Pet. Why I thank you sweet Mistresse Quinever go on And be all mad whiles I lament you sober : Nay you shall fight by your selves for Peter , You 'le make an excellent ammunition-Girle Get a bottle to carry hot water in , in time You may arise to be a Sutler's wife . Quin. I 'le have your wise head fitted for all this Enter Pysander . And heer comes one shall do it . Pet. O sweet Mistresse Quinever Quin. No fawning now you whelp . Pys. Mrs. Quinever well met , I was seeking you . Quin. I am happy I have found you . Pys. How go matters ? we have got some 50. men . Quin. All goes well : but this wise Gentleman ( Whose wit lies in his breeches , for 't is all He has to know when he has need ) Is much displeased at our preparations , And asks me if you mean to make My Lady a blind drummer Pys. And cannot you convert him ? Quin. No indeed . Pys. VVhy thou ingratefull piece of wise formality , How oft hast thou had warning to be wise ? I have threatned thee thou should'st never go Without a rime-pind at thy back Which should be thy own grievous Chronicle . I told thee too that I would have thee painted Riding upon an Asse and reading Seneca , I thought this might have tyed thy tongue . Pet. Good Sir : Pys. Nay hear and mark me , if thou dost er'e again Seem to be wiser than thou art , and crosse What now is done , nay if thou dos't not help And put thy assisting hand to 't , thou shalt ride In a hot day upon a well lined sadle With soap in thy new grogram-breeches , till it work Like new tunnd beer , and every day When thou sitst down to dinner one or other Shall pull away thy stool , I 'le spoil thy gravity , Or noint thy feet with butter , whilst a dog Shall lick and tickle thee , and if any comes Here to oppose us thou shalt seem a stratagem : For on the walls we 'le set thee , like a thing Stuft up with straw , onely to make them spend Their shot upon thee , and in thy turn Thou shalt do duty too , and every night , Be sure to have alarmes . Speak what you 'le do . Pet. I did but utter my opinion : I shall conform . Pys. It 's well said , and I forgive you , But take heed you erre no more . Pet. You need not doubt me . Pys. Come wench , now we breathe in safety , And thou proud Peter's conquerour . [ Exeunt . Pet. The Devill go with you ; he has conjured me . Did ever Turk think of so many torments , And in what order too he marshal'd them ? I am not yet out of a chilling sweat ; Nor shall I get now of enchanted Quinever One drop of good hot water , God deliver me From this strange hurly-burly ; and yet I dare not fancy A good strong halter and a handsom beam I 'le go to sleep , for I am now Afraid of all things . [ Exit .

ACT 3. SCEN. 3. Enter Phylanter , Lycespes . Phyl. THe intelligence is certain they are here , At an old Ladies , and all hurt ; we cannot misse them . Lyc. Those that I left preparing now come up Make us 400. strong , your father too Follows with more . Phy. We must attempt them ( though ) before relief Can possibly arrive from any place , And if we take him we are sure to make Our own conditions , the best we can expect : Our resolutions arm us for the rest . Lyc. We are prepared and I believe there 's few , That serve you , question policy or danger . Phy. Ye nobly all oblige me , and for your sakes I could even wish I never had attempted What I must scorn now meanly to repent of But ill intents when they least prosper Then must be most persued , to reach again Our first condition , Lyc. Nay Sir , I think it were no harm , To wish us fairly off . Phyl. I would we were , but I am arm'd ; To dye I fear not , and yet I would Fall with some pretty character about me , At least I 'le make the Kingdom joy It had so brave a spirit , and like Rome glory ( In spight of fame ) in Catiline who died At once men's envie , and her pride , Lyc. VVe must loose no time Sir , the night Conceales us , and as yet perhaps They have had no intelligence , The house is neer at hand — shall we parly ? Phyl. 'T is the best way to find their confidence Nor can it be a prejudice to us ; we traffick now Onely for what we 'ave lost : " If we survive " We 'le find at least a nobler way to thrive . [ Exeunt .

ACT 3. SCEN. 4. Enter Pysander , two or three with him . Pys. SO that work 's now finish'd . Let all the guns be brought into the Hall , 'T is to defend the good old Lady From the rudenesse of Rogues ; 't will be casie work . 1.

Yes , yes , wee 'l tickle them .

I 'le sweep 'em with my father's old Fouling-piece .

Pys. Bravely resolved ; but perhaps . There may be yet no need on 't , however 'T is wisest to resolve against all dangers . VVell , my good Lads , be in a readinesse , if any come , VVee 'l ring 'em a peal shall make 'em forswear Such Holi-daies : they all die rather than wrong Sir Percivall's widow . Now all unto your places . 1. 2.

Agreed , agreed .

Pys. Now could I hug my genius , that through all Has brought me to this harbour ; and yet to think If we should scape , what my engagements are , Imprimis — To marry this old Lady Cow , And play at Blindman-buff , 't is as good lying VVith Bulrushes or penny Faggots ; she 's mortality Beyond a Death's head and Memento ; And yet she bridles as if she were but now To be new-back'd and ridden ; I have heard Of a dead body that has long been so , And yet retain its form , but when once toucht Crumbles to dust ; for ought I know she may do so too , And I be hang'd for embracing Mummie . But certainly I shall touch her gently , For 't is a remedy to see her drest Against all carnall thoughts , beyond bathing In Rivers in a frosty night . She follows me , and asks a thousand questions Among the rest Enquired what I was making at the gate ? I answered her , a Curtain : then she mumpt , And ask'd , If 't were not for her wedding-bed . She made the truest Hieroglyphick That ever blind Aegyptian hit upon , For 't was of earth , and I most fairly hope 'T will be her wedding-bed ; bar death , The devill cannot find another Rivall . Mir. Pysander come , we must to action . Enter Mironault Pys. As how and how ? Mir. Phylanter's here hard by already , And without doubt knows we are lodg'd . Pys. Why — then — he 'l knock us , or we shall knock him . Mir. It 's worth no greater care , my brave Pysander . Fortune and you have done your parts , To give us something to employ your valours , They now shall buy us bravely . Pys. Nay , I 'le not sell my self at any rate , I begin to have a wondrous value Of this small composure of Pysander , if you mark it 'T is very lucky to see an old blind Lady — should fall in love with 't , One that runs her nose against posts . But come , Sir , since these Lads will never leave us , Let 's in and provide for them , they may have A better welcome than they dreamt of , Unlesse Gunpowder lay last under their pillows . Mir. They shall hear us — In lowder language then they do expect . The gods but lent us life , and we still pay Them interest , as casualties and sicknesse ; Death is the Principall , which when we restore , VVe owe the world and gods no more . [ Exit . Pys. VVhy , its exceeding well ; we shall be all Clean out of debt in t'other world then ; Our Creditors are strangers there , so are they here To me , I 'me sure ; and in the other world If I should want , and thither must , There 's store of faith , and I 'le take up on trust . [ Exit .

ACT 3. SCEN. 5. Enter Phylanter , Lycespes , Others . Phyl. THis is the house sure it should be By the description — How — VVorks thrown up ? All 's quiet though ; we must be cautious , There may be else some trick in 't . — Summon the walls — Lyc. VVithin there , ho — ho — Sure they lie buried in security . As confident of power and successe , As if the Destinies slept with them too , And wak't at their command . Let 's wake them all — and yet 't is hard To rouse an innocence to disorder , 'T is that I fear is their security . Phyl. O Lycespes ! It is as great a crime ( when past ) to think Of things ill done , as 't is unthought to act The ill before ; he that does one first cheats himself , The other cousins him : now to be nice Is vain , for us that have been cheated twice . Lyc. VVithin there , ho — Phyl. They are dead . Mir. No , we live , Phylanter , Mironault , Hyppasus , Lysander , and others , appear above . And far less fear that fate than you , That have so many crimes to sinck your thoughts . Spare your pains of asking us to yield , VVee 'l sooner find the worst of all extremities ; Danger will lose its nature when you bring it . — Nay do not stay — In expectation to hear me ask VVhy you have thus unworthily thrown off The name of Honesty : Some may fall Not worth mens pitty , but their scorn , And so do you . Phyl. You 'r very high , so let your actions be , Your crimes will need it . But I see words Displease you , you shall have lowder Rhetorick . Mir. Fear not , thy basenesse has taught us to understand That language . Pys. You , Lycespes , you Treason-hunter , How , I wonder , did it happen , we did not meet Your storming worship at the gate ? Pox on you , you were untrussing a point , The old fighting loosenesse . Lyc. You 'r merry still Pysander , and very brisk , Are you so well already of your inlets . Pys. Hang you , if you bleed as much As a staid man would let out from a witch To save himselfe from enchanting , The Physitians , Pothecaries , and Surgeons Must stand about thee , like Pensioners ; If Hyppasus and I , can but get a willing curre , We are lick't whole , a dog 's our only Mountebank . Lyc. Very well Sir , when I visit you , I 'le bring a spaniell in my hand . Pys. Hang the couple of currs , say I , Phy. Your resolution 's heard , I 'le urge no more , But leave you to your fates , only thus much , By me the Princesse sends this punishment . The danger now growes bigger sure , — Mir. This is mean Phylanter , and you still trifle honesty , And I time and honour : let the storm come , — And he that seems to fear , Exeunt above . May he unpittied fall , without a tear . Phy. His Courage still is excellent , great power of love , That made me give so much to her , I left none for my selfe . Lycespes draw round the house , We●'l storm it instantly , dye all you lesser thoughts , That at a distance tell your formall tales , Or else come neerer , and wear noble shapes , The distance makes you mistier , the dice are cast , Th' event will punish or reward what 's past , [ Exeunt .

ACT 4.

SCEN. 1. Enter Caeca , as to dressing , a Table set out , and glasse , Quinever attending , Pysander following . Caeca . IS my Captain here ? Quin. Now enter'd , and like your Ladiship . Caeca . Very well , leave us then : Come neer good Captain . Exit . Quin. Pys. Mercy defend me . A dressing , or setting up a Barber's shop , Here the teeth lye , what 's this an old head ? A lecture for the best Anatomist ; like a rusty Clock , Taken a pieces to cleanse all the devices , Set them together some engineer for me . Caeca . Pray sit neer me , Captain , Pys. I do . Caeca . O Captain , what a hideous noise Was there ene now of bouncing , pray what i's t ? Pys. Only some wandring Raskalls at the gate , They 'l have their errand suddenly . Caeca . I would they were gone , truly at the first noise , I brake one of my pots of Mithridate , VVith Dragon-water , good for the head and stomack . Pys. Was there ever such an old Almanack , [ aside At the end of the year Medicines set down ? Caec . Besides the great disturbance from your company . Pys. Nay , you see when I have freedom I use into my own advantage , Visit you before you 'r ready — Caec . I shall be ready presently , the time will come You shall be welcome to me quite undrest . Pys. The Devill of thy young bones [ aside . Lockt in thy old Cabinet . Caec . I shall unparrell then faster than now I dress me ; You 'l help to pull out pins I 'le warrant you . Pys. Rather drive in wedges — [ aside . Why you know we men must court , You would be bashfull else , and it were pitty To loose that time which should be better spent . Caec . You say true indeed . Pys. Come Madam , pray dresse your self I 'le serve you instead of a better chambermaid S'death would she were once furnish'd [ aside . One may dresse and undresse Long-lane as soon . VVhat want you now , Madam ? Caec . My night-rale , good Captain . Pys. I shall give her a sheet instead on 't , It lies about her like a casting net 'Slid I have given her never a wascoat , And now will she call for her farthingale , I must make haste but cannot go without her ; For her wise tenant's now before they fight VVill see their Land-Lady Caec . My farthingale , good Captain . Pys. I thought so , now is she like an old Camel VVith that hideous mount on her unfurnisht body . Mercy how have I set her out ! she may make Good harmony ; for shee 's composed of different notes She would yield a man more money to shew Than an outlandish beast ; my sweet Quinever I have employ'd to stave off formall Peter From making tenants seem as wise as he . VVhat want you now , Madam ? Caec . My Perriwig , good Captain . Pys. VVhich way to set this on now , is the question : 'T is no matter I can't mistake now More than I have done . Caec . I thank you Captain , I hope you and I Shall live happily and comfortably together . I was told , my seventh husband Should be a wondrous honest and an able man . Pys. That , experience will let you know : I shall tell you A merry tale towards bed time that will cure The cough of th' lungs . Caec . And make one dream huge pleasantly And that 's a sign of youth I can assure you . Pys. That and your toothlesse Chap's are main ones . If surious Medea had thrown thee [ Aside . Into her age-renuing Kettle , thou d'st have lept out With a medley of years upon thee . Hark , a noise ! by heaven it increases still , hark [ Noise Caec . O Captain , a noise ! Pys. Nay there 's two now in the Devill 's name : It still encreases , come Madam you must down . Hyp. 'Sdeath , Pysander , they 'r falling on Enter Hyppasus . The men stand all at gaze And swear they 'le see their Land-Lady , We are all lost without some help . Pys. Madam , you must needs walk And encourage your tenants , to send these fools away 'T will defer our Marriage . Caec . Pray lead and I will follow . Pys. Come Hyppasus , how fares the noble Mironault ? Hyp. As a brave Ship hemm'd by a raging storm Resolves to throw the ballance ore , Lose all and perish carelessly : But come , we trifle time . Pys. Along then , and for your blind Ladyship If you had no tongue You should make signs to your tenants . [ Exeunt .

ACT. 4. SCEN. 2. Enter Phylanter , Lycespes . Phyl. COme Lycespes , is the alarme given To amuse them on t'other side ? Lyc. Yes . Phyl. What resistance does appear ? Lyc. As yet all 's wrapt in silence . Phyl. Where did the messenger say my Father was ? Lyc. At hand Sir with 5000 men ; wer't not best We should defer the storm till then ? Phyl. By no means ; we will attempt it first , For by that time they may have relief Come from the Court , my father's suddain flight Confirm'd the least suspition , helpt by the Princesse too . Lyc. It could not chuse , you have thrust your self Into a troubled Ocean . Phyl. I know it , and now must sink or else go on , There is no choice in Crimes but of our Fate , The affrighting freedom of a wretched state . We cannot hope ere to return again Back on our fancies to our first conditions , What tob'd us of the safety we enjoyd First made us to contemne it ; 'T is a stayd gamester too , that would give o're Upon the losing-hand ; the most metl'd , or let it be The maddest one , would stake on all his wealth , Venter to tire Fortune or himself . We have bargain'd now , and chopt a Peace for War 'T were foolish to depend on ought but Victorie ; For that will change our acts , or others natures : The vanquish'd wear the crimes , and all will fear To judge or question what they too must bear . This slender glosse I know must startle thee That has so much of honesty and courage ; And if we fail I 'le quarrell with my self That cousend thee to follow what thou once Didst love with'honour : fearing to be unjust To friendship , made thee more unto thy self : I have used thee as some that have seduced Young men into bad company , thou hast found Things much unworthy of thee — Lyc. T is true , dear Sir , I will not face a lye : Our acts have given me both amaze and trouble , The last I threw behind me , may the VVorld Forget the rest , there is a Fate hangs over all That shews it's force when it resolves to strike VVhen we can act at once , at once dislike , And t' is the sad necessity that we must Persist in crimes again to reach the good That you intend ; this nobly does deserve My friendship now , and if we fail — The world may yet believe ▪ Our thought's were better , let them chuse to grieve . Phyl. Set on then , brave Lycespes , danger not found VVomen frig tchildren with , and perills met Uncheat us of our lives , that render'd us But an unhappy treasurie for our cares , Made monstrous by our joys , the hopes and fears That spring from them , onely the stock we spend on . This cannot add , I know , to thee ; and I should blush If it could ought to me . But 't is mens pleasure To undervalue what they think will go , And they must loose — the world 's fond nature 's so ; And 't is the bravest scorn ill men can have , To change this world , as freely for a grave . [ Exeunt .

ACT. 4. SCEN. 3. Enter Pysander hastily , the Blind Lady following , Peter directing . [ Alarm . Pys. NOw the Devill raise a Barricado , I am storm'd too ; I have pepper'd the Rogues on my side , I must go see how the other fares . Caec . Is he here , Peter ? Pet. Straight on , an 't like your Ladiship . Caec . Pray stay , sweet Captain ; Oh , oh , All my corn's a-fire , good Captain . Straight before still , Peter ? Pet. Yes Madam . Pys. By this light , Sir , I 'le direct your nose to the wall , Caec . Good Captain , all , all , my corn , oh , oh ; The great Barn's on fire , look how it burns . Is this your kindnesse ? pray , your hand . Pys. Pray take this for interposition . he laies something in the way . It will not do , she 'l run her head Against something or other , and beat her brains out . — I must place her in here — VVhat 's this , a Corn-house — Here Madam . Give me your hand , rest your self a little , And I 'le be with you presently : and for you , wise Sir , he places her in the Vault . Let her alone , til I , like a good Midwife , Come and deliver her : This , Sir , you had best observe . [ Exit . Pet. VVhy it s very well , I thought at least I might have given her A hot fire-shovell to have bak'd a cake upon . Nothing troubles me — But that the Rats and Mice may play with her nose . I thought she would be brought to this , Mrs. Quinever Is employ'd in casting bullets with a face Like fiery Sol in Leo , if this hurry hold long , My poor old Lady may wish she had lost All senses as well as seeing ; for god knows The employment for the rest are miserable . Hark , a noise , they are at it , much good may 't do them ; [ a noise . To run away it is impossible , and from my chamber I can see all the shooting ; it has made me wish a thousand times I were as blind as my old Lady , I 'le to her in the Vault , I never thought my self too safe , he that did , Let him leap Towers for Peter . [ He descends into the Vault .

ACT 4. SCEN. 4. Enter Mironault , Hyppasus , Pysander . Mir. BRave Hyppasus , how to forgive my self I cannot tell , For all that you have suffered . Hyp. Still on that strain , Sir ! VVe could not serve you thus if we repined , Or feared to suffer for you ; wrong not our honesty And courage both . Mir. They are too excellent , I swear it were a pleasure To share in danger with you , were 't not a pain To see you there — Gallant Pysander , You brought us timely aid , and from our sinking fates Raised us again ; but you had quickly done On t'other side . Pys. O mine were pittifull rascalls , Yours came to their businesse handsomly . Mir. They did indeed , Phylanter first Advanc'd before his men , bold in despight Of all his crimes , and carelesse both alike Of honesty and danger . Pys. He was the wiser ; To what purpose Should any one be thrifty of , that the world So little cares for , this trifle Honesty . Hyp. Come Pysander , you must get the Soldiers drest , That have been hurt , we may have more need of them . Pys. Yes , yes , as far as her Smocks will extend in Lint . Mir. I find I need a little dressing too . — Let 's in , and there — Provide for after-claps of treacherous Fortune . We must not fear a Frown , or court a Smile ; One may the VVise , t'other the Brave beguile . [ Exeunt .

ACT. 4. SCEN. 5. Enter Albertus , and Others ▪ Alb. HOw far is 't to his Quarters now ? 1. A little way , Sir . Alb. Be sure that all the Soldiers march in order , And on their lives no outrage to the Country . Let all be done in silence . No Scouts return'd yet ? 1. Not any , Sir . Alb. I am jealous of this Court , the King enclined But little , suspition could not mingle with his nature , The Princesse has confirm'd him sure ; we act On the uncertain'st Stage , the strangest parts That ever yet were play'd , I would the world VVould take it so . VVe have now stept Beyond the power of Retreat or Fortune , The one 's too poor for us , and we for t'other . VVe are like tired Gamesters with ill Cards VVeary to hold the game , and yet play on To save if not to win ; perhaps If we prevailed , Ambition would as well Play on the game as now we do , Though from a modester designe . How little ought man to be trusted then With power in this world , when even the things He aims to thrive by are the crimes of Kings , Good Princes , like best Juglers , still find first The lesser sleights of others . How now , What news ? Enter Mess. Mess. As we were scouting on the way , Which leads unto Cracovia , we espied The Body of an Army moving within Two hours march . Alb. Ha , it must be so — she has don 't . Bid instantly Botiscay march with haste , [ exit Mess. For fear we are hindred joyning with my son . Amidst these crimes a little policy does well , It must be so , all we can hope for now will be to make But good conditions — — To put it to the venture of a day were madnesse , We can have no supplies , they may have more . And yet — I know not what to think , Distractions mingle with my thoughts , And we still lose our judgments with successe . Our resolutions waited on us then Like servants wanting wages . All Mankind Is one of those two Cowards , — Either to wish to die When we should live , or live when we should die . Some fear , some wish , too early , or too late Most fall , yet none must chuse his Fate ; Those that prepare for every storm , do seldom cast Themselves away , It is but bravely sinking at the last . [ Exit .

ACT. 4. SCEN. 6. Enter Princesse , Amione , Phylena , and others . Prin. No news yet ? 1. Not any Madam . Prin. Leave us , and give notice when any comes . 1. I shall — [ Exit . Prin. We have not now sure far , And yet me thinks 't is along while Ere we are there , time is thought The fastest undiscerned flying thing That is , but yet Love's wings are swifter , Swift wishes impe his ragged plumes And pull the feathers from the wings of Time , — And every houer bears Double proportion from our hopes and fears . Phyl. This pretty way of account Madam , will rise Unto a sum of ages , added To what now Mironault's a heaping , 'T will make a new Chronologie , But we still reckon on the old account . Prin. You 'r merry still , Phylena , when your day comes You 'le give me leave to do the same . Phyl. Yes Madam , we both agree , And yet you shrewdly once suspected it Of this fair maid , Prin. You make me blush , she way forgive me though For she deserved it , Amio. O Madam , — Could you fall so much below The power of all your beauties in such fears That you could justly let suspition dwell Where you pretend an interest ? The Rose as well May drooping hang it's fragrant head Jealous of meaner Flowers , and the Sun Suspect his light when mortalls kindle fires . Prin. Nay Amione you court me now I will not call it flattery , whil'st it comes From thee , for that 's a crime That dwells with crooked natures , yet it was Mistaken kindnesse . Amio. 'T was you mistook it sure , for none will find Themselves deceived that love you , Enter Mess. Prin. How now , what news ? Mess. Just now for certain , Madam The Lord Albertus joyned unto his son With a great Body , Prin. They have not yet attempted ought . Mess. Yes Madam , before his Father's coming , Phylanter storm'd the house . Prin. Ha : hast thou learnt no particulars ? Mess. Yes all , for before the Lord Albertus coming The smallnesse of their numbers gave us freedom To enquire near the place of all particulars , — And thus it was , Soon as Phylanter had found out The house they stayed at , presently he ghest That wounds had caused their stay , by reason They strove to reach no place of more security And so indeed it was ; ghessing besides , They should have smal resistance : upon these thoughts Phylanter draws about it , then summons them . But in the midst the gallant Mironault Hinders the parly with a hasty scorn , As if he meant to drive no bargain , But sell at his own rate , at which The bravely bad Phylanter sweld with rage Prepar'd to give th' assault , and in the head Of all his men advanc't ( some distance ) first , To bring on ruine great as was his crimes , Or else to perish with them , and seem'd half willing To be forgotten on a noble score ; So equally divided , or to hide His mischiefs in their Fates , or in his own . The storm grew hot , yet still Phylanter urged Beyond belief , now out of Love with safety , Because his foes in spight of him enjoyd it ( With an unlookt for power to resist him ) Branded the name of Fortune with a whore , As if they had begot supplies upon her ; On t'other side his men sees shrinking from him , When mad with rage he easily retires With such a look as longing Lovers send When they must part , so much he coutted danger , And now retreating with his drooping forces , The gallant Mironault like a bright Sun Broke from the smoakie storm , and issues forth , Acting new Tragedies , till , being jealous More forces might come in , In order they retreated , and for certain Phylanter both and Mironault are hurt . Prin. O me ! Phyl. Madam send off the messenger , Let not him see The least disorder . Prin. Go instanly , and bid Symathocles Let all the Army march in readinesse to fight . Mess. I shall . Prin. And acquaint him with all you know Exit Mess. Nay do not hide thy tears Amione They can't displease me , wench , nor shall I think That there is grief enough for him , Though I am fully stor'd . Amio. Alas , what a condition Fortune throws him in ? Did he but know by whom he were lamented He could not have so much of joy , As grief to think how he was ravisht From the lov'd mourner ; Prin. I prethee peace ; not that I fear To have more grief for him , for I have that Within me has made that impossibility , But to inlarge thy own , 't is true too That I should give thee counsell not to grieve , But I shall grieve the while , yet if thou thinkest I wrong thy kindnesse then wee 'le mourn together And joyn our stock of tears , for no one store Is worthy of him . Amio. Though nature made me partiall , it robd me not Of so much reason , to be so impudent , The Fates perhaps , or some great power That has a speciall care for you , or kindnesse , Preserved you for themselves , and lent you to the world As the Sin was , not for the happinesse Of one alone but all . Prin. May we not yet amidst our greatest grief Believe it is not dangerous ; for after he was hurt They leisurely retired . Amio. Would I could so be satisfied — And yet that clearly justifies we wish Our own contents , then when we raise Our fears to equall power in our thoughts Of what we doubt , yet what we wish to have ; None e're yet wish'd a life , but fear'd a grave . Prin. 'T is true Amione , those torturing Rivalls Hope and fear are ever whispering , And they that have most need of one , Have ever most of t'other . When I think this , Though I would willingly pretend to counsell , Or any thing would ease thy grief , I must Believe it both impossible and needlesse . Am. Were it not just to linger then no longer In all these doubts , since we might give them ease . Prin. As how can it be done ? Am. I would attempt to see him , I onely want your leave . Prin. It is impossible , the ways are all shut up . Am. I do not mean to go concealed . They say Phylanter is so much a Gentleman , He will not certainly deny a woman . Fear not , Madam , 't is but two hours time , And I am there , or here again . Prin. I can deny thee nothing , not this I 'me sure ; If thou seest him , tell him , that Love and Constancy 's rewarded In t'other world , and will be so in this . Tell him , I wish his happinesse And mine own together . And be sure You take a Chirurgeon with you . Phyl. My service , Madam . Am. I will not fail , Heaven keep you . May I return with such a blessing As I now bear to him . [ Exit . Prin. Farewell , dear Maid . Phylena , now The time draws near of joy or misery , — We live at an uncertain rate , Or flatter'd stil , or else displeas'd with fate . [ Exeunt .

ACT 4. SCEN. 7. Enter at one dore Albertus and Others , at another Phylanter , Lycespes , and Others . Alb. I Should chide now , but the condition of your fortunes Cannot be that way helpt , nor are you fit For a disturbance , I hear you have succesless Storm'd the house ; Why stai'd you not till I arriv'd ? 'T was folly to attempt it with so few . Phyl. But that has hapned now which I then feared , For I did ghesse supplies would come to them As soon as you to us . Besides , who would have ghest , Or now can think , how they come by their aid ? Had we proved fortunate , we might have made Our own conditions . Alb. In that you have hit my thoughts , for now we must Not lose our selves by fear or folly ; The one 's too mean , the other but a madnesse . And we must look on these we have Without a hope of more , and on them As an encreasing body ; by this we are constrain'd Upon the nick to make our compositions , Or put it to the venture of a Day ; The first 's the better , were the last the likelier . For I believe that , passion laid aside That first incited these rash thoughts and actions , You look upon 't as not to be pursu'd , But fairly to be left . Men may erre , It is the influence of Chance and Nature , But to pursue it , is their own — Lycespes — There is much due to you , you were still honest , And most a friend in danger , Who are in safety onely are their own . Lyc. My Lord , I always owed your son as much , And did resolve to pay it , till I had cause To leave , or feared to avow it . Alb. You are still noble . But Phylanter , VVhat certain intelligence have you ? Phyl. VVe know , Sir , the Army of the King Is hard at hand , they say the Princesse too Is with them . Alb. I ghess'd as much , and for that reason I left the Court , for I heard That she was big with rage — VVell , The time 's now short , and something must be done : Let all be in a readinesse , and prepare Nobly to reach successe , or ill to share . In the mean time wee 'l presently advise The honorablest way for composition . For to be safe and good is better far , Than trust our crimes unto the chance of War . [ Exeunt .

ACT. 5.

SCEN. 1. Enter Phylanter . Phyl. HOw have I thus been cousened ! how monstrous too It seems , still to pursue the crimes I lov'd before : To be uncousened , though 't is just , seems poor , When danger gives the wisdom : how low we sinck When we once fall below our selves ! We still must fear what others ought to do . In crimes none can be wise and gallant too . All this besides for an uncertain Beauty , Nor yet possest or gain'd , the Persian so Spends all his wealth and prayers on the Sun , That equally dispences unto those Which ne're ador'd him , his warm comforts too . Farewell to all your Sex , that cannot be Belov'd , but with unthrifty misery . The Lover that 's unlov'd , like me , must waste His store of Love , the Lov'd may longer last . They that joyn Stocks , with ease our-spends Him that runs on unpaid and lends . Farewell : I will uncheat my self and you , For when I lov'd you first I cousen'd two . Sould. My Lord ! Phyl. How now ? Enter Souldier . Sould. A woman at the dore Desires admittance to your Lordship . Phyl. Thou ravest ! a woman ? Sould. So I told you . Phyl. Nay , I might wonder , for such and I Have now so little businesse with each other , That by my troth 't is strange . Seems she a person of any quality ? Sould. Yes . Phyl. Handsome ? Sould. To a miracle . Phyl. The Devil on the wonder ! businesse with me ? Soul . So she earnestly exprest . Phyl. Bring her in . [ Exit Souldier . Curse on the Sex , Civility must wait upon 'em , Their weaknesse makes us fools , or else their beauties . Ha! 't is that indeed that charms us from our selves , And all the handsome actions that we do Seem offerings to their powers , as if the Sea Should send a tribute to the little Brooks , Such a preposterous thing is Love , 't is like The folly and the crime to make a god One's selfe to worship — Now for a trap I shall be shy of these fair baits . — What subtle trick — Must this fair Instrument bring about ? — — I will be deaf to charms — She comes . Enter Amione and Souldier . Ha — extreamly fair — Come perhaps for to revenge The scandall of her sex upon me — Is it on me Fair maid , that you would lay commands ? Ami. A comely man , pitty that form Should harbour so much basenesse . [ aside . It is you , Sir , I must petition ; for commands , Though they might seem fair attributes to our sex , Yet when you know , to whose much hated name , Nature has made my Love a debt , You will believe , Thardly should petition . Phyl. I rather shall consider this fair thing , To whom a hated name can owe an interest , — But you have heard — Stories perhaps , not much becomming me , Made up of others envies and my crimes , Nor can I tell a good one of my selfe , But that I love an innocence like yours , And only that , for you to have a confidence , I hardly shall deny you . Ami. The world has sure belied him , [ aside . — Nay , Sir , Nature commands , that I should ask , Your fair encouragement has given me hopes ▪ Not to be quite denied , and I am sorry That I must now beg a civility , And dare not own requitall ; 't is the first time , That justice and ingratitude were friends . Phyl. You still believe me too unworthy : they that do An act that does deserve requitall , Pay first themselves the stock of such content , Nature has given to every worthy mind , If others should be bankrupt — Pray torture me no more but aske . Amio. He would deceive me strangely , [ aside . Know then , the sister to wrong'd - Mironault must ask : Does it not startle you ? Phyl. You see it does not . He that has injured Mironault , will grant it , Trifle no more . Amio. T is only then your leave that I may see him , Phyl. And happinesse attend you , you shall have A conduct with you ; — I did not think That I should find so much of joy , In that small time I have to bustle here , As your lov'd power has given me , Pardon me , if I dare attempt To have a little peace within me , Still to remember you , I fear I must , Though both should be unwilling . Amio. I shall promise Sir , I carry no intelligence . Phyl. Urge it no more , I do not fear , Nor am I ignorant , of what a storm Is falling now upon me , only grieved That I durst bring it to 't , and yet now pleased , That I dare bear it : choise in crimes , Is the worst part in man , and good from fear , The meanest . But I have said to much , only thus , The last of all my thoughts , shall be of you , They may be good : Nay , do not wonder , Nor be so much concerned for one so lost , To frame an answer from a smile or frown , I will conduct you on your way , as you come back , Others shall waite you , for your eyes Shall not be injured with an hated object . Here in this world , my fate , the quarrell ends , — In t'other sure , we may meet friends . [ Exeunt .

ACT 5. SCEN. 2. Enter , Mironault , Hyppasus , Pysander . Hyp. NAy , for certain , Sir , We saw a body marching , which cannot possibly Belong to t'other Army . Pys. Why , I did alwayes believe , My dancing daies were not quite done . Mir. I know not what to ghesse , nor do I wish ; For in extreams , lesse cares give noblest thoughts , Designes of wishing , are the cheating joyes Of fearfull men , t' were foolishnesse beside ; A carelesse hope looks handsomely . Hyp. We shall so justifie our selves , but I believe , 'T is not unreasonable , to think our innocence Should merit some protection , the Princesse sure Will not be last in justice . Mir. Urge it no more , nothing is worth her care , 'T is some as bad as those , come to assist them . Enter servant . Serv. There 's one without , Sir , that would desire Admittance to you . Mir. Who i's t . Serv. A woman . Mir. A woman ? I cannot ghesse , — Exit . servant . — Let her come in . What should this mean , deceive me not too much , Fond hope , nor puzzle me , for if you do , — at last , I shall grow carelesse of my joyes and you ; Ha! Amione , — welcome , Enter with Amione . Welcome , above all joyes but one . Ami. Perhaps , welcome as that , I have much to say , But I must first be civill . Brave Hyppasus , May you nere know extremities , but if you should , May you find such a friend , as you have been . Hyp. Were I not nobly paid in his desert , I were in this ? Ami. The same to you Pysander , for to thank you In any other Language , were too poor , And much unjust , for to divide , What you so nobly joyn'd in . Pys. Now have I forgot , what Hyppasus said , Pray take his answer in good part for us both . Ami. You' ar merry still , Pysander . Pys. I confesse , nothing went ever neer my heart , Unlesse it were your Love , but what availeth sighes and tears ? Ami. Very well , Sir . Dear Brother , pardon this injury of gratitude , That kept me so long from you ; forgive me too , If joy disorders me , I have enough To see you safe . Mir. Dear Amione , how long we shall be so , Heaven knows , yet 't was a great advantage To live thus long to see thee : but how wast possible You could get hither , or from whence now come you ? Ami. Why , Phylanter's great civility , Brought me safe hither . Mir. But from whence ? Ami. From the Army . Mir. From whose Army ? Ami. The Princesse . Mir. Ha! — Ami. I will defer your joyes no longer From the Princesse , who bid me tell you , That faith and constancie 's rewarded In t'other world , and will be so in this ? Mir. Thou would'st not mock me sure . Ami. I do not . Mir. O ▪ Amione , Didst thou but know the joy of every heart , That at this hour , has its wishes crown'd , Thou might'st then ghesse at mine . And is she there in person ? Ami. Yes , attended with a gallant Army , Much stronger then the enemy , you might Discern them sure ; and resolved as soon as I return To offer battell . Is Phylanter , Prepar'd to fight ? Mir. With any thing in spight of all his crimes , Resolves to perish bravely , so great a villain Ne're bore so brave a mind , — t is a question , Whether he thinks , there 's such a thing as danger . Ami. We heard indeed , he storm'd it bravely , And that your hurts were of more danger Then I perceive they are ; 't was the report Of that which brought me hither . Nor must I stay , the Princesse layed commands Of my immediate coming back ; at more leisure , You shall have all my story , in the mean time , I must needs tell you , you are like to be Extreamly happy ; O Brother , never was so much sweetness Guarded so sure from crimes , if ever breast Were Sanctuary for vertues , it is her's : She will deserve your love I fear much more , Unlesse its possible , men should be constant . Mir. This is not kind Amione , her valew Will make me wise still to preserve my riches ; And benefit is mans designe . Ami. Man seldome though pursues his owne advantage , Women like Towns , once wonne are slighted : VVhat we already have within our powers , Has lesse esteem then unatchieved things . Mir. Urge it no more , one may as well be weary Of the Sun's constant shining , as her influence : He never rises , but he seems to bring Fresh glory from the East ▪ and every day VVill adde a new discovery of her vertues , That she will never seem enjoy'd enough . Besides , though man 's compos'd of faithlesse matter , The Soul of one may be of nobler use Than others are , and with that Soul Man had not been so nobly put in trust Had he not means left free to be unjust . Come , so much eternitie as my love must have , Must not be told in such a little moment As you have now to spare , nor will I injure The little time I have with thee , When we shall meet again heaven knows : For friends once pawn'd to distance there is a danger To bankrupt hopes . You must expect but poor besieged welcome — Who such relief as Anchorets have At least shall find in an expected grave . [ Exeunt .

ACT. 5. SCEN. 3. Enter Phylanter , Solus disguised . Phyl. WHat is the next thing how that must be done ? How weary all the World and I Am grown of one another ? I should be friends With this disguise , could it but hide my crimes : But night it self that great disguifer , Wants power to conceal the least of crimes From any troubled breast , when man would fain Be unacquainted with himself again : 'T is just too , when we have our selves betraid That we should be then of our selves afraid Ambition onely is our nature's folly , That robs us of that little stock of reason , We have at temperate and idle hours . If we but take the inventory of our selves , There we shall find such perisht stuff By rage and passion , that 't is just We should be once forgotten in the dust ; — But for my new design — ha — 't is odd To throw my self into the power of them — As if 't were meannesse , or something poorer ; fear — — Yet — let it dye [ Studies . Enter Amione . Hyp. Pys . Ha — she comes — — A Persian's cold devotion thus , Receives new warmness from the rising Sun — It must be so — He that would hide Love kindled once within , Rakes but his fire up to keep it in . Hyp. We take our leaves now Madam , for we see There 's one attends you from the Exe. Hip. Pysan . Lord Phylanter , Phyl. Madam , my Lord Phylanter sent me hither In his own language to present you Safety Great as you merit . Amio. I thank you Sir , he has obliged me nobly : Had he forgot his crimes , I should forget He were an enemy . Phyl. He bid me tell you farther , That he had waited on you here himself , But that he fear'd to injure your fair eyes , That should be onely pleas'd with welcom objects . Amio. Ha : perish you easie thoughts , that start [ aside . At hearing of that name , yet when you think of him I may forgive you , if you then Frighten your selves , — And yet it may be Love ; ruines of Love And lightning are alike — For , what would willingly resist They both consume ; I shall attend you Sir , If you please to lead the way — [ Exeunt .

ACT 5. SCEN. 4. Enter Albertus , Lycespes . Albert. COntinue still worthy Lycespes , To let him know repentance needs no blushes . Or that 't is necessary for Fate or us , To persue cruell actions , yet with a gentle hand That no distraction mingle with his nature ; For he is young , and youth's unsetled furie Is ready still to act , Lyc. I have Sir , with a gentle hand Toucht all the storie of this madnesse , And find him too , like an experienc't gamster , Asham'd to have been cheated , but resolv'd Wisely no more to venture at that game : Our whole designs must needs therefore now Aime , but to bring us off , and yet prepare Not to want courage in the meanest Fortune . Albert. 'T is all that can be said in our Conditions , In order therefore to our sad affairs , Wee 'le instantly dispatch a Trumpet To offer fair conditions , or any thing That may not sound like mercy from another : That 's an unworthy way to adde To other's fames , in ruining our own ; And yet our whole desires shall be low , Indeed they must , for the extremity Of every unresisted Fate makes poor Their thoughts that were as rich before . [ Exeunt .

ACT. 5. SCEN. 5. Enter Phylanter , Amione . Amio. YOu have now , Sir , performed that civill part , That alwies shall enforce me to esteem The Lord Phylanter , and may this Sir She offers him money . Tell you my thanks . Phyl. Madam , reward can not be due To this small service , though I may do What may perhaps seem to deserve Something of that nature , but I must first Desire you to prepare for to believe Not ill of him , that thinks your wrongs Deserve devotions , greater than his trust . Amio. What mean you Sir ? Phyl. Would it not be worth a reward at least ? That you might have within your power The ease of all your hard misfortunes ? Amio. Certainly 't were ; the sound bears greater joy Than possibility . Phyl. I know sometimes , that Treason seems But ugly in the justest cause ; Though I believe that never yet , A power like yours commanded it . Amio. Still I understand you not , pray to the matter . Phyl. To be short then , know Phylanter loves you , Your seeming kindnesse will have power To draw him where you please , for to my breast He has committed all his thoughts , And bid me judge when I should see you , Whether he had not cause for all his passions , ( Indeed he has ) so much his crimes are greater ; Nor is it more injustice to his trust Than due to you to tell you , if you please , That I may bear some feigned kindnesse from you , I 'me sure 't will bring him any where , That you may easily surprise him . Amio. But do you think he has lost his reason so ? To trust himself without his guards , And his surprifall then will not be easie . Phyla . Alas , his reason 's like an helplesse friend , Left and forsaken , and nothing but your name Must be forgiven , that would attempt to lessen His thoughts from what he has done , you need not fear He can be over-wise that loves so much , Nor will his reason tell him that 't is due To all his kindnesse . Amio. Nor is it sure . Phyl. But to his former storie 't is , and present actions ; For though repentance onely at your name Has power in his thoughts , yet he contemns To have that Virtue on a meaner score , His crimes to all the world besides continue . Amio. And they may better be the punishers . Phyl. I grant you , were it in their power As 't is in yours , and they would then Do sure as much for you . 'T is but the least command from you , My life on 't , I bring him where you think best He may be with most ease surpris'd . Amio. But should not you consider ? That though this punishment be due from me , The treacherie's unjust in you . How much it is the businesse of mankind [ aside ▪ Whilest she turns away and speaks , he throws off his disguise , and lays his sword drawn , with the hilt towards her . To make a bargain for their honesty , And yet not think how little that will yield To others , which they make so cheap , Man 's like a barren and ingratefull soil , That seldom pays the labour of manuring . How has Philanter injured him , or I obliged him ? That I could at first upon a lesser score Share with his crimes , and on a meaner now Basely dislike , as if his choice were just , Whose equall ease accepts and forfeits trust . I 'le tell him too 't is base , how fain would Love Tell his own story , through a nobler cause , And blushes sure as well as I. — It should be for Phylanter — Ha! Deceive me not fond eyes , it cannot be she turns and sees him . I owe amazement now so much — — It must arrest me . Phyl. Wonder not , fair Amione , nor fear I 'le beg your pitty , that contemn my own , And yet for many reasons think I love you ; Though I believe my time will hardly give Me leave to reckon them — Onely consider , That I durst here avow it , I could have faln , It s true , as nobly with my fellows , But much more happier here ; I would have weigh'd it too More leisurely in reason's scales , till a thought Of you broke in , and ended the dispute . I have at my own rate procured my happinesse , Nor have I done lesse sure for you ; 't is the first service , And likely too to be the last I e're shall do you . Amio. O Phylanter , you should not trust Revenge , and all your crimes at once In any power , though I perhaps Shall fear to be a murtherer , so to make My self as bad as you . Phyl. Why I confesse , I willingly Would be as good as you , but that 's a lesson Hardly to be learn'd , and yet it looks Much like the way to read it often ; As I have done your vertues . I say not this to tempt a mercy , I have deserved a great deal of unkindnesse ; But not so much as now to fall A sacrifice to any but your wrongs . Amio. I know not what to say — You may repent , perhaps grow good ; Pray try . Phyl. 'T is true , I think I might ; But 't is a question still , whe're you 'd grow kind . And indeed , the fear of that great danger Made me contemn the rest . But I trifle time , By all that 's charitable , let me not fall By meaner hands . Hark , some Souldiers . [ a noise . Use this for pitty's sake . Enter Souldiers . Amio. Alas ! ah me ! 1. How now ? who have we hear , Philanter ? Treason ! 2. Treason , treason ! Phyl. Nay , then I must use it . [ fight . Villains , I have a little businesse here , one falls , t'other flyes . I might have spared the reason though to you They have raised the alarm ; yet , Amione , Free me from this mean ruine . Amio. Pray put on your disguise again , You may yet scape . Phyl. I 'me glad it is impossible , you see it is , O Amione ; had I but loved you at a lesser rate , I might have found a soberer expression . But yet remember , a mad-man seldom loses His kindnesse with his judgment . A noise again ! hell on their yellings ! [ alarm . Amio. By that love you bear me , Put on your disguise . Phyl. Never , till my safety be worth your care . Amio. O Phylanter , though your condition needs it , 'T is too soon for me to say it , yet I will tempt my To tell you , I would have you safe . Phyl. That now my fate is unavoidable , the gods blushes Perhaps provided , lest I should surfeit Of joys in this world ; yet I shall have Enough , if you believe , no dying mind Can have more joy , or living love . 'T was my grief at first to love you , and now My fear at last you should not know it . 'T was all my businesse too before my end . I could wish one thing more , to be resolved , Whether in t'other world ( where wise-men tell us , There is such store of love ) our joy shall be Greatest , to meet those friends we lov'd best here . — but I shall be resolved . In the mean time , What e're becomes of me , Let your kind thoughts — admit sometimes this minute's memory . Amio. Alas , think of your safety ; Hark! they come ! yet [ noise . Let your disguise and me protect you . Phyl. When I have your protection — I need need not this disguise , Nor will I wear it . They come . My dear Amione , Enter Souldiers . For ever live as happy as I die . 1. 2.

Here ! here ! on ! on ! on !

Phyl. Villains , you shall buy me bravely . [ fight . Sym. Hold , on your lives ; how , Phylanter ? Enter Symathocles . Phyl. The same , you need not bid me welcome , Nor tempt me much , Symathocles . Amio. O Phylanter , be yet more temperate ; Pray , Sir , let me obtain a little hearing . Sym. You may command it . The Princess ! Enter Princesse , Phylena , Followers . Amio. O Madam , let me beg That no amazement dwell upon your eyes , Nor any thing but mercy . Prin. I have both ready for thy sake — How — — Phylanter — VVhat Riddle 's this — ? Phyl. I owe that name indeed , but with less blushes Than I did once . Prin. I promised not to wonder , my Amione ; But this is strange . Amio. You promised mercy too . Prin. Have you an interest in his pardon then ? Blush not , I 'le ask no more — Phylanter — This story shall be perfect at more leisure , And all things else shall be deferr'd But my forgivnesse . I do believe ( You came to fetch your pardon in so much danger ) You can repent or any thing , but deserve The happinesse preparing for you . he kisses the Princess hand . Come , Amione , thou hast brought back An unexpected friend . May this successe To every one bring equall happinesse . [ Exeunt .

ACT. 5. SCEN. 6. Enter Albertus , Lycespes . Alb. HAs no one yet brought any news ? Lyc. Not any , Sir , O misery ! Betraid by some sleight . How now ? Enter a Messenger . From whence com'st thou ? Mess. My Lord , your son desires to meet you ; And withall you would not wonder , That with the Princesse he waits your comming . Alb. Stranger yet ! some farther mischiefe sure ! Lycespes Draw up the Army instantly . [ Exit Lyces . We must not be thus cousened . Came you from my son ? Mess. But now , Sir . Alb. And is he with the Princesse ? Mess. Yes , Sir . Alb. Where ? Mess. Now comming to the House . Alb. With all her Army ? Mess. Onely with a small Guard . Alb. There may be something then . Fortune I 'le think if now thou shew'st thy care , Thou canst redeem as wel as bring despair . [ Exeunt .

ACT 5. SCEN. 7. Enter Princess , Phylanter , Amione , Phylena , and Others . Prin. IS this the house , Phylanter ? Phyl. Yes , Madam . Prin. Pray summon it . Phyl. 'T will now be yielded , Madam , Far easier than 't would once . Within there , ho ! Pysander appears above . Pys. How now , what news , O Phylanter ? Is your troublesome Worship there again ? — how now , the Princesse too ? Prin. The same , Pysander . Pys. Now truly Madam , do I think I had best call Mironault to unriddle this . — The labour 's sav'd . Mironault appears above too . Prin. Mironault . Mir. Ha. — Prin. Do you not know me ? Mir. Yes , and others too there . Prin. This is injustice Mironault , Can you let wonder keep you thus from me ? Mir. I had forgot , it 's true , 't is Mirramente , And serupulous thoughts were sins unpardonable , He descends . Pys. If I should stay to consider what this means , I should be the last should know it ; He comes down . I 'le e'ne descend too . Prin. Mironault , — Though these strange objects might deserve a storie , Enter Mironault . 'T would take up time , and I shall think it crueltie To rob thee of one minute's joy , if I can give it . Miro . If you can give it ? have I thus long Lov'd you , and lov'd you religiously , now to have All my devotion question'd ? Can sick men joy in health ? or liberty Be pleasing unto captives ? In your kindnesse Lies all my health and liberty . Prin. Nor will I fear to avow it , dearest Mironault , No thoughts of crossing danger e're shall fright My Love or me . Miro . It 's true , I am unworthy of you ; but so are all , And he that parts me from you , Must joyn me to a colder Bride . Phyl. And more than you , gallant Mironault , Wonder no more , nor think on stories past , But that to come , Phylanter will appear As worthy of your friendship , — As he was once of hate — but stay I had forgot to ask your pardon . Indeed He takes Amione by the hand . Heer 's one may better do it , whose fair opinion — Will promise for me . — Miro . Brave Sir , I hated still your crimes not you , so did she , And if she love your Virtues , pray believe I am her brother too . Phyl. Madam , I see Enter Albertus . A little honesty will make one impudent That I must now beg pardon for others , That scarsly should have hop't if for my self . Prin. Rise my Lord , you need not now Of any doubt your pardon . Alb. Excellent Princesse , I shall deserve hereafter What an unjust necessity made me shun to testifie . Kisseth her hand . Prin. Hyppasus and Pysander , I must not now Forget your share in thanks , That did receive your part in danger . Pys. Nay your Highnesse cannot be better pleased than we That all the danger 's past , to say truth , Hypasus and I were clearly your Platonicks , And made up the Romance . The blind Lady hearing his voice , calls from under the vault where he put her . Caec . Captain . Prin. How now , what 's that ? Pys. Why nothing Madam , Onely an honest fellow kill'd in the storm , And now his ghost walks ; in his life time He was a talking fellow , Hyppasus you know it . Hyp. Hang you , what do I know ? Caec . Why , Captain , Captain ? Pys. Plague on you , would you were gagg'd . Prin. This is strange ! Pys. Nay your Highnesse need not be troubled , I 'le have a Schollar shall lay it at my own charge . Hyp. Well Sir , if you 'le be at that cost , I 'le be the Scholar , To raise it at my own . Pys. Pox on your conjuring fools-head , Hyppasus takes her out of the vau't with corn upon her farthingale , Peter following . By this light she rises — Like Ceres with Plenty about her , Lord , how Peter stares ! Caec . Captain , Pray , your hand [ She goes on . Pys. Here forsooth . He goes behind the Princesse . Now have at the Princess , la , ra , ra , ra Your Highnesse may be pleas'd , She runs against the Princesse . To pardon her usuall exercise , She was the best tilter in her time That ever ran . Mironault whispers to the Princesse . Caec . O Captain , pray your hand , Pys. Now have I ague : what tends This whisperig to ? Prin. Come Pysander , The god of Love himself is blind , She , or her estate ( I hear ) is very fair . Pys. Why , is your Highnesse in earnest ? And please you shee 's some sourscore , A dog were as good a husband for her To lead her up and down . Prin. Madam , Will you consent to have this Gentleman ? Caec . I have already yielded . Pys. And be hang'd 't was before you were storm'd . Prin. Come it shall be a match , shee 'l make you her Executor . Pys. Well , wee 'l all be marri'd then . Hypassus If you please , you shall have Quinever . Pin. We are all happy then ; we need not fear , Unlesse my Father frown . Phyl. We shall unwillingly throw off again Our Loyalty to him , and yet we shall Be very ready to embrace a witnesse , That we dare dye for Mironault . Mir. You nobly all oblige me , and I must tell you My dearest Princesse that I cannot fear , Whilst I enjoy your Love , for that has rais'd me Above the power of Fate or danger , Nor have I leisure to think on any thing , But of those joys are falling now upon me , Which neither time or age can ever lessen ; For still your Virtues like Medea's charms Shall bring fresh beauties to my happy arms . [ Exeunt . Pys. We Bridegrooms disagree , for every day Will oblige most that adds to your decay . [ Exit with the Blind Lady . FINIS .

The Fourth Book of VIRGILL . Of the Loves of DIDO and AENEAS . The Argument . In Love's ungentle Flames a a Dido Eliza fries , With her Resolves a guilty Storm complies . Aeneas , warn'd by Joves b b Mercurie Cyllenian Mate , Prepares for flight , and Dido for her fate . A Funerall Pile she raises , and bestows At once a Fate upon her self and woes . BUT , long before , the Queen had in her veins Nourish'd Love's wounds , and fed concealed flames . Much on his person , and his generous kind She thought , much on the vertues of his mind . His charming Image fixes in her breast , And cares now banish once-enjoyed rest . Th' ensuing day , when Phoebus newly spread His beams , and moist shades from Aurora fled ; The Love-sick Queen thus to her Sister said : My Anna , of what dreams am I afraid ? What guest is this with unaccustom'd charms ? How noble in his Soul ? how brave in Arms ? I'think ( nor vainly ) he 's of heavenly kind ; 'T is fear that argues a degenerate mind . What various fates he told , with Battles mixt ! VVere it not in my breast for ever fix'd , Never the Marriage Fetters more to prove , Since so deceiv'd by fate of my first Love ; Did I not loath those Rites a second time , I might perhaps yield to this tempting crime . For I confess , since ( slain by fratricide ) Sichaeus fell , whose blood the Altars di'd , Her husband slain by her own brother Pigmalion . This onely has enclin'd my thoughts ; again I feel impressions of an antient flame . But may the earth first snatch me to her womb , And to the shades Jove's Thunder whirle me down ; To Hell's dark shades whose night admits no fate , E're shame and vertues rites I violate . He who first made my heart Love's sacrifice , Still has it , in his grave it buried lies . This said , a shower of falling tears appear . Anna replies , Dear sister , and more dear Then Light it self , shall grief thy youth destroy , VVithout the Crown of children , or the joy VVhich Venus for her Votaries prepares ? Can dust shut up in graves , or Ghosts have cares ? Grant you were she , whose cold breast did disdain , The Lybians and the great a a King of the Numidians . Hiarba's flame , And Africans made rich by vanquish'd foes ; VVill you as well , all Love 's soft charms oppose ? Think where we now inhabit , who dwells round ; Getulians here with conquest alwaies crown'd , Here savage desarts your Dominions bound , There the wild Barceans ; what need I relate The VVars , that on thy Brother's furie wait ? Sure the kind gods upon our shores at last , By an obliging storm these Trojans cast . VVhat Citie shalt thousee ? thy Kingdom too Shall to this match enlarged fortune owe , VVhen Trojans with our Arms their Swords shall joyn , In what rich glories shall the Punicks shine ! Go , and oblige the gods by sacrifice , Thy guest by kindnesse ; all delays devise , Whilst Winter rages , and the stormy Star Their Navy shakes , the sky dispos'd to war . " These words the sparks of love now kindled more , " And enthron'd hope where blushes dwelt before . First , at the Altars heaven's peace they sought , With Sheep selected , slain as custom taught , To Ceres , Phoebus , Bacchus , above all , To Juno , carefull of the Marriage thrall . The fair Queen's hand a full-crown'd Bowl adorns , Who pours the Wine 'twixt a white Heifer's horns . Still on the fatted Shrine an Offering lies , And day seems young renew'd with Sacrifice ; Consulting scarce the life-forsaken breast , Which panting entralls faintly yet exprest . " Unknowing minds of Priests ! alas , what ease " Can Temples bring ? Can frantick Vows appease " A flame , which life and blood still fuell gives , " And in whose breast the wound in silence lives ? Unhappy Dido burns , and wanders round The City , frantick , as a Hind , whose wound From a far off the unsuspected Swain Gives ignorantly , who strives to flie her pain , Through the Dictaean Forrests , wing'd with fears , Yet still her side the fatall Arrow bears . Now with Aeneas round the walls she goes , Her City and Sidonian-treasure shows . About to speak , her words stick in the way ; Now Feasts prepares to end the wasting day . Again ( distracted ) asks to hears Troy's fate , And on his moving lips her eyes still wait . All now take leave , and the Moon 's paler light Shines out , declining Stars soft sleeps invite ; Whilst she alone her sorrows entertains , And flung , on his forsaken bed remains ; Thinks still she hears him speak , and in despight Of absence , alwaies fancies him in sight ; Or in her arms his son and likenesse takes , To try if Love could lessen by mistakes . Now the late-rising Towers neglected stand , The youth and fortresses alike unman'd . All great beginnings interrupted lye , And walls before which promis'd to be high . When Juno saw her languish in a flame , Whose fury shrunk not at opposing fame , Venus with haste she finds ; and thus then saies , You , and your Boy , will purchase glorious praise , And spoils as ample as your powers , when fame Shall tell ; Two gods one woman overcame . Nor am I blinded so , but it appears , The walls of rising Carthage cause your fears . But why these quarrells ? rather let them cease In Hymen's bonds , wrapt in eternal peace . Your wishes all are crown'd in Dido's flames , Which fill , instead of bloud , her burning veins ; With equall power and kindnesse let us sway , These severall Nations , let her too obey A Phrygian Lord , and unto thy desire , Submit the Tyrians , and the wealth of Tyre ; To her , ( for she perceiv'd a crafty mind Sent all these words , by which she had design'd To Lybian shores th' Italian crown to joyne ) Venus replies , Who is it will decline What you propose ? or is so void of sense , To chuse to have with you a difference ? If the fates yield to your propos'd intents , ( But varying fates I fear ) if Jove consents ; That Troy and Carthage should as one be joyn'd , The mingled Nations too by leagues combind ; You that enjoy his breast , 't is just that you Attempt his mind , I 'le second what you do . The Queen of Heaven then replies , That toil And labour shall be mine ; A little while , I aske you now to hear , whilst I lay down The means ; which our designes at last may crown . Aeneas , with the wretched Queen prepares , In woods and hunting to divert their cares ; When the next rising Sun gives day a birth , And with his raies shews the unvailed earth ; Upon the Hunters , whilst the game 's pursu'd , A storm , sweld big with hail , in blacknesse brew'd , Its fury shall discharge ; at the same time , The Heavens to the storm shall Thunder joyn . Th' affrighted Hunters all shall take their flight , Confus'd in darknesse , as if lost in night . The Prince and Queen shall flye for shelter too Into one Cave , if we receive from you Your promis'd aid , there Hymen being by , Wee 'l make her thy perpetuall Votary . Fair Cytherea , finding her designes , Smiles , and , in shew , to what she ask't inclines . In the mean time , the Sun the briny streams Of Neptune leav's , the youth rise with his beams . And forth the toyl's , and well-nos'd hounds are brought , With spears , whose tops were round with Iron wrought . Next marching forth , Massylian troops are seen , The Punick Princes all expect their Queen . Who , slower than the rest , forsakes her bed , Whilst her proud horse stands richly furnished In purple ; on which Gold in windings flow's , Champing his bitt , in foam his mettall show's . At length , attended by a noble train , Clad in a rich Sydonian robe she came . Her quiver gold , her hair too weaved lies In gold , and gold her purple garments ties . The Phrygians next advance , and before these Ascanius came , whom youthfull hopes did please Of promis'd sport ; with these Aeneas joyns , And all the troop in charming looks out-shines . As when cold Lycia , and where Xanthus flowes , Apollo leav's , his visits now bestowes Upon his native Delos , where again , The Driopes and Cretans fill his train . With Agathyrsians , whom strange colours dye , And in wild motions round the Altars flye , VVhilst he upon the top of Cynthus goes , His flowing hair , soft laurell-wreaths inclose ; Through which the weaved gold its lustre flung , And at his back , his ratling Quiver hung . " Nor did Aeneas looks admit an odds , " But with his lustre equalled the gods ? VVhen new these troops unto the hills arrive , And beat the unfrequented shades , they drive VVild goats from their high holds , and wing'd with fear , On t'other side rush down vast heards of Deer . But young Ascanius in the vales employes Himselfe , and in his horse's fiercenesse joyes . Now vi●s with these , now others leaves behind , And wanting beasts to chase , wishes to find A chasing Boar o're-spread with rage and foam , Or from the hills to see a Lion come . Whilst thus he wish't , lowd murmurs fill the skie , Follow'd by storms of hail , the hunters flie For severall shelters , whilst amazed sight From mountains tops sees Rivers take their flight . The Queen and Trojan Prince , seeking to save Themselves from storms , meet in one fatall cave , The earth first shook , and Juno gave the signe , And at such rites ungentle flashes shine . While , through the conscious aire , the Marriage-song , VVas howls of Nymphs , which from the mountains rung . This day first usher'd death , and from this day , Misfortunes took their birth , nor did she weigh Her present act , or think of future fame , Nor could this amorous theft beget a shame ; She cal'd it marriage , with a fond designe , Believing in the name to hide the crime . But quickly now that slighted fame took wings , And all the newes through Lybian Cities flings . Unto ill fame compar'd , swift things are sloath , For as it flies , it gathers strength and growth ; Fear keeps it low at first , but free from dread , Quickly in clouds , hides its aspiring head . To Caeus , and Enceladus , the earth Brooded on by the rage of gods gave birth Unto this sister last , than winds more fleet ; Swift in her wings , and not lesse swift in feet . A horrid and strange monster as she flyes , Under her feathers hides an hundred eyes , As many mouths , nor furnisht lesse with ears , As many tongues to tell the tales she hears . When night has spread her shades through heaven she flies , Nor has soft sleep the power to close her eyes , By day ; where poor and great men live she sits , And with her tales gives Citties shaking fits : The false and true alike to people brings , With equall joy things done and undone sings . Of Troy's great Prince she quickly did report , How entertaind in Dido's breast and court , Unmindfull of their Crowns , ruld now by lust , The winter spent in passions too unjust . Among the rest to whom she spread this Fame , It quickly unto King Hiarbas came . The storie rais'd his furie , who was son To Jove , from ravisht Garamantis sprung . An hundred Temples he to Jove had rais'd , As many shrines where constant fires still blaz'd . The Gods perpetuall watch , th' enriched ground , With blood , th' entrances with garlands crown'd , The bitter news rage and distraction brings ; To fill his breast , who in his furie flings Before the Altars of the gods , and there With raised hands sends this disputing pray'r ; Great Jove , to whom , on beds that richly shine , We Moors indulge our feasts with sparkling wine , Seest thou these things ? or shall we free from fright See the dark air with sudden flashes bright ? And dreadlesse at thy winged lightnings flame Or slighted Thunders , find our fears were vain ? A wandring woman on our shores that pay'd For leave and place to live on , and obey'd ▪ Our laws , dares now despise our marriage bed , For one Aeneas to her Kingdom fled . This Paris with his troope that scarsly are Like men , in their soft robes and perfum'd hair , Enjoys my passion's object , whilst we raise In vain to thee our offerings and our praise . Whilst thus expostulating-pray'rs he fent , Holding the Altars still , th' Omnipotent To Carthage turns his eyes , where passion's flame Had in the Lovers burnt the thoughts of Fame . Then calling Mercurie he thus begins , Go son , call Zephyrus and on thy wings , Haste to the Trojan Prince , who idly stays In Carthage , and contemns in his delays Crowns which were promis'd him by Fate and Time , Swift as a thought bear him these thoughts of mine . His beauteous mother never promis'd me Such things as these , nor for this cause was he Twice from the Grecians free'd , but that there may One spring from Teucer , Italy to sway So big with War and Empires ; and to give Laws , under which th' obliged World should live . But if such praise cannot his mind enflame , Nor toils be pois'd with weight of endlesse Fame , Why does he hinder from Ascanius brows The Roman Crown ? What is it hope allows , Whilst thus with foes ( delaying ) he remains ? Neglects Ausonia , and Lavinian plains ? Bid him to sea , go tell him what I say . The ready god prepares streight to obey His mighty Father's will , and first he ties Wings to his feet ; born upon which he flies ▪ Through air , and o're the earth , and liquid plain , Swift as the motion of a rapid flame . Then takes his rod ; whose call ghosts from below Obey , by the same power others go Unto those dismall shades , sleep comes and flies As he appoints ; and closes dying eyes . Th' enraged winds swell as he dyes along , And drive the troubled clouds into a throng . Now Atlas views , as on his wings he fled , Approaching heaven with his aspiring head , Batter'd with winds and storms , with tall Pines crown'd , And still with sable clowds envellop'd round : His shoulders prest with undissolved snow , And from the old man's Chin swift rivers flow In rushing cataracts , in frozen ties His horrid beard bound up severely , lies . Here first with equally unmoving wings Cyllenius stays himself , thence headlong flings . Along the shores a bird thus swiftly glides Close on the surface of the swelling tides ; So from high Atlas-top Cyllenius flies 'Twixt heaven and earth , where sandie Lybia lies . When first on Carthage-plains his winged feet Took rest , his eyes as soon Aeneas meet Raising new Towers ; on his thigh there hung A shining sword , a Tyrian garment flung Over his shoulders , where the gold did wave In glittering rings , which Dido made and gave . When with these words the god invades his car , Dost thou for Carthage lay foundations here , And raisest Cities , now uxorious grown , Seeking strange Crowns , unmindfull of thine own ? He who o're all th' immortall gods bears sway , And whom the people of the earth obey , Commanded me to ask , What vain design Stays thee in Lybia , idly losing time ? If so much glory cann't thy mind inflame , Nor toils be pois'd with weight of endless fame ; Let not Ascartus suffer by thy crime , To whom the Fates th' I●alian Crown design . Thus having spoke Cyllenius takes his flight , And in the air slides from enquiring sight . Amaz'd Aeneas stands , in horror ti'd , VVith stifned hair , his voice and words deni'd , Now burns to leave the place but lately priz'd , So by the god commanded and advis'd , VVhat should he do ? how venture to relate This change to her that was so passionate ? His mind travails through-thoughts as in a trance , And snatch'd with every various circumstance , Till every thought to this submission gave . Then Mnestheus and Sergestus , with the brave Cloanthus , he does call ; with silent care Bids them the Navy and their Arms prepare , And draw their Forces to the Ocean side ; But with a feigned cause the true to hide . In the mean space ( whilst Dido little thought Their loves were to so near a period brought ) He pays his visits , and neglects no time , All his addresses fits for his designe , VVith all the art of softest words , whilst they VVith gladnesse do their Princes will obey . But the fair Queen ( for who can long deceive A Lover ? ) quickly did the fraud perceive , And from the present makes her future ghesse ; VVhat ever seems most safe , fears not the lesse . The same ungentle Fame the news now brings To sad Eliza , who now madly flings Thorough the City , passion so excites The wretched Queen , like Thyas at those Rites VVhen first the Orgyes stir , and Bacchus name Cythaeron loudly does in night proclaim . At length unto Aeneas thus she saies , Hast thou design'd all these dissembling ways ? Could there , false man , be so much ill in thee , In silence to have fled this place and me ? Cannot my love , that love , which I so late Plighted to thee , nor my approaching fate , Oblige thy stay ; but among Winter-waves To thrust thy Navy , whilst the North-wind raves . What if you never sought an unknown Land , And antient Troy did in its lustre stand ; Must needs that Troy , through Billows swelling high , Be sought with Navies ? Is 't not me you flie ? By thy receiv'd right hand , and by these tears , ( Now nothing else at my command appears ) By our young Loves , if ever I was thought To merit , or to thee a pleasure brought : Pitty a falling state , change thy hard mind , I beg , if prayers yet a place can find . For thee , the Lybians , and Numidian King , With Tyrians , will on me their malice fling . For thee , my early and unspotted fame Is lost , which once to Heaven bore my name . To what am I now dying left ? Ah guest , In that , all Hymen's Titles now must rest . But why do I delay ? Is it to see My Brother ruine all ? or till I be Led captive by Hyarbas ? If I might Have had a young Aeneas ere thy flight , That onely might to me present thy look , I should not fancy I were quite forlook . This said , forewarn'd by Jove within his breast , With eyes still fix'd his troubles he supprest . At length replies , Fair Queen , I cann't deny Your words or merits , nor shall ever I Unwillingly admit Eliza's name Unto my thoughts , whilst life inspires this frame . Thus much I onely say , I never tri'd , Or hop'd dissemblingly my flight to hide . Nor did I promise ever to be thine , Or hither came with such a fond designe . Would Fate permit , my will should now dispose My life , and as I pleas'd my cares and woes ; Troy and its Princely Palaces should shine , As once it did , rais'd by this hand of mine . But Phoebus now and Lycian Lots decree , That I should fix my love on Italy . If you , that from Phoenicia took your birth , Affect this Carthage , and the Lybian earth ; VVhy should it now appear more strange , that we , Though Trojans born , should seek for Italy ? The justice is the same . As often too , As the dark night its humid shades does throw , O're the hid world , and Stars begin to rise , My Father's Ghost does threaten and advise . Unjust to dear Ascanius too I prove , He wants a Crown , whilst here I idly love . Now Mercury from Jove was sent ( I swear By both our heads ) who through the yielding air Brought his commands , apparent light and clear , Shew'd me the god , and I his voice did hear . Cease then to wound with these complaints of thine , Since , though I go , 't was not my own design . This said , she turn'd her long averted sight , Fix'd upon him , her eyes then took their flight , And silently on every object gaz'd ; At length she spoke , to height of passion rais'd . Perfidious man ! Nor Dardan could begin Thy race , or couldst thou from a goddesse spring ; But bred on rocky Caucasus , thou first Wast by Hircanian Tygers udders nurst . For why should I dissemble ? should belief Betray me to more woe ? See if my grief Has rais'd one sigh , or does his eyes encline To be o're-come in tears to pitty mine . Where should I first complain ? my miseries , Nor Jove nor Juno sees with equall eyes . Faith is unstedfast still , fond woman's haste ! In want I found what I in plenty plac'd . His Friends and Navy did by me return From death to life , Ah in what flames I burn ? Now Lot's , Apollo now , now from above Cyllenius brings the harsh commands of Jove . 'T is likely that the gods should from our cares , Receive such trouble , and proportion theirs . I neither stay you , nor your words deny , Seek through the waves and wind for Italy . I hope ( if gods be great as well as good ) That thou shalt drink ( drown'd in the rocky Flood ) Revenge's draught , and calling still on me , Though absent , yet in flames I 'le follow thee . And when cold death shall cease this vitall heat , My ghost unwelcome visits shall repeat . And all thy woes obliging Fame shall tell , To my pleas'd ears when I with shadows dwell . At this abruptly stops her words , and flies , Sick of the light , and weary of mens eyes , Leaving him fix'd with fears , and in delay , Confus'd in all , preparing much to say . Whilst she sinks to the earth on which she fled , Carried by servants to a Marble-bed . Though the just Prince enclin'd to give relief , And to divert with words her powerfull grief , Shook in his breast , where sighs and love did meet ; Yet he obeys the gods , and views his Fleet. The Trojans throng , while launch'd from the shore's side , The 'nointed Vessells now on Billows ride ; Carrying their Oars aboard , and Oak not quite Brought into form , so carefull in their flight . All from the City throng , as toyling Ants , Treasure a Heap , remembring Winter's wants . The black Troop through the verdant grasse makes way , And in a narrow road their stores convay ; Some bear the corn , the laziest of the Swarm Others excite , and every place grows warm . What were thy thoughts now Dido at this sight , And what sad sighs did from thy breast take flight ? Hearing such noise , and seeing from above The shores grow warm with crowds . ( Ungentle Love ! ) What is 't thou canst not us compell to do ? Again shee 's forc'd in tears and prayers to woe . No thought to Love obedience now deni'd , Left dying , she had left a way untri'd . Seest thou not , Sister , how they all repair Down to the shores , and the ungentle air Seems too to court their sails , the joys resound From Sea-men , all their Vessells ready crown'd . Had I but thought that such a woe could be , I might have born it then ; for , wretched me , This one thing do , ( for that false man alone Seem'd kind to thee , to thee his thoughts made known The time , & how to soften words you know , Go and petition this insulting foe . I never swore the Trojans to destroy , Or did assist , or sent my ships to Tray ; Or yet disturb'd his Father's dust and ghost , Why are my words to his clos'dears thus lost ? Ah! whither does he flie ? let his hard breast Grant but a wretched Lover's last request . Let him but stay till he may safely flye , Till neither winds grow lowd , or waves grow high . I beg not now again his broken vows , Or of the Latium Crown to rob his Brows : I beg but time my passions to reprieve , Till my hard fate has taught me how to grieve . This last request I make , if pitty find A power in your breast ; my gratefull mind Shall onely lose the memory in death . Whilst tears she spent with this imploring breath , To him , and back again , the wofull tales Her Sister bears , but nothing now prevails ; Soft charming words had lost their power , oppos'd By Fate , the god his gentler ears had clos'd . An aged Oak so long had stood the blast Of Alpine Boreas , now is this way cast , Now that , whilst with the clamoring winds he strives , Which to the earth th' assaulted branches drives ; The root yet fix'd , for what above appears , So much below the earth's embraces bears . So every way her words the Hero prest , Shook by her cares within his mighty breast . But his firm mind unshaken still appears , And she , in vain , now spends her stock of tears . Th' unhappy Queen , whom all these fates affright , Now wishes death , and hates to see the light . That too which added to these sad desires , VVhilst on the Altars in perfumed fires , She paies her gifts , the sacred wine no more , Retains its looks , but turns black clotted gore . This horrid change was to no eye reveal'd , And from the trusted sister too conceal'd . Besides , there stood a marble Temple , made To her first love , to which she alwayes paid An honour'd kindnesse , alwayes too deck't round VVith verdant wreaths , and snowie fleeces crown'd ; From whence she thought , she heard Sichaeus call . And when the night had spre'd her vaile o're all , The fatall Owle that perching place still seeks , And sends out long and death-presaging shreeks . The Priests before had threatned sad extreams , The cruell Prince still visits her in dreams . Alwayes she seems alone , and wandring strayes , Seeking her subjects in forsaken wayes . So Pentheus saw with his distracted sight , Furies in troops , at once two Suns gave light . One Thebes two Cities shew'd , or on the stage , As wild Orestes flyes his mothers rage . VVith blazing brands , and with black serpents arm'd , VVhilst in the gate , revenging furies swarm'd ? Vanquish't with grief and passion in extreams , She now resolves to dye , the time and means Closely designes , nor could her thoughts appear , Her looks were all compos'd serene and clear . To her afflicted Sister then she goes , And with these words , her mind seems to disclose . Come share with me the joy of my designe , That shall restore his love or banish mine . Neer to the setting Sun and Oceans end , A part of Aethiopia does extend . VVhere mighty Atlas on his shoulders bears The glittering load of all the starry sphears . Thence , ( a Massylian born ) a Priestesse came , That kept the Dragon and th' Hesperian Fane ; Who also did the sacred branches keep , With hony and with poppy causing sleep . She could with charms enthralled minds set free , And others bind with the same cruelty . Stars would retire , swift streams no longer run , And from the graves , the cal'd up spirits come , The earth mens frighted ears with howlings fills , And the tall Oks seem walking from the hills . VVitnesse you gods , and my dear life , that now Unwillingly to Magick arts I bow . Go , in the inner Court erect a pyle , Bring the man's sword , and garments , now his spoile . Lay all the Impious left upon that bed , VVhere I to ruine was by passion led . For so the Priestesse every thing design'd , Of a false man should dissolution find . This said , on her still lips a palenesse rose , And yet her sister did not then suppose Under pretence of charms she meant to find Her fate , or that such fury rul'd her mind ; Or fear'd a crueller effect , or crosse , From any cause , than from her Husbands losse . She therefore hastens to obey ; the while , The Queen within the Court doth raise a pile Of pines and cloven Oaks , adorned round VVith lights ; with wreaths and funerall Cypresse crown'd . And on this pile the fatall bed convaid , On which his garments and his sword she laid . With these , plac't his effigies too , Alas , Too knowing now of what would come to passe ! All this begirt with Altars , with loose hair , The Priestesse sends to many gods her pray'r To Spirits , and inhabitants below , To Cynthia , and to triple Hecate too . Sprinkling feign'd dew , as from Avernus brought , Herbs cut with brazen Sythes , by Moon-shine sought . With poyson brew'd , from the Colts brow they tare The much lov'd bit of the prevented mare . The Queen with gifts , hard by the Altar stands , Her garments loose , one foot releast from bands . And dying now , her last appeal does send , To Gods and Planets , conscious of her end . If any Power most with care survaies Loves too unequall bonds , to them she prayes . T' was night , and wearied limbs with toils opprest , Did in becalming sleep's embraces rest . The winds were hush't , the waves no longer sweld , And time the equall scales of midnight held . The earth's and air's inhabitants , in dreams VVere lock't , and scaly troops affecting streams . All in obliging sleep receiv'd their shares , Their hearts insensible of toils or cares . But the unhappy Queen sleep's charms denies , Passion possest her breast , and tears her eyes . Her cares increase , her love to fury grows , And storms of anger with her passion rose . Then to her selfe , raises this sad discourse ; What shall I do ? shall I go seek remorse Of slighted lovers ? or beg to be priz'd , By that Hiarbas whom I once despis'd ? Or shall I flye after the Trojan sails , With whom the sense of kindnesse so prevails ? Or were I willing , would they give me leave ; Or a scorn'd thing in their proud ships receive ? Lost wretch ! see'st thou not falsenesse fix't upon The perjur'd race of false Laomedon ? What then , shall I alone these men pursue , Or let the armed Tyrians follow too ? And those which hardly once from Tyrus came , Shall I perswade to go to Sea again ? No , no , 't is only death is fit for thee , Let his sword end thy life and misery . Thou sister , first ( yet with my weeping prest ) Didst help this enemy into my brest . Why might not we like wild beasts alwayes live , And know no cares that love and passion give ? Then , not oblig'd , I had not been unjust , In forgot-kindnesse to Sichaeus dust . Such great and sad complaints denied her rest , In troops assaulting now her broken brest . Sleep then did on the Trojan Prince prevail , Who in his tall ship lay prepar'd to sail . To whom , Jove's messenger appears once more , Repeates the warnings that he gave before ; ( In voice and every thing like Hermes show'd , His youth the same , his shining hair so flow'd . ) Thou heavenly-born , Canst thou soft sleep admit , Not sensible what dangers threaten yet ? Nor yet discernest how the prosperous gales , With gentle invitations court thy sails ? She now , since death is her resolv'd designe , Guided by rage , stops at no fraud or crime . Fly whilst thou may'st , left thou seest vessells swarm , On troubled waves , and shores with flames grow warm If by this Land , you wait approaching day , Then put an end unto this dull delay . The minds of women never yet were fix't : This said , with nights dark shades himself he mixt . No sooner now this mighty Vision ends , But straight Aeneas , rows'd himselfe and friends ; Urging them on , to hasten from those shores , VVith haste to spread their sails , and ply their Oars . A God sent from above came to exile , And with Commands , to hasten too our flight . VVhich of the gods so e're thou art , we flye As thou direct'st , obeying chearfully . Be thou still pleas'd to guide us and protect , And every star propitiously direct . This said , his shining sword draws from his side , And cuts the Cable which his vessell ty'd , The rest with equall haste repeat his deed , And quickly from the shores their vessells freed . Much of the Sea with ships was cover'd now , Forcing white furrows on its blewish brow . Now on the earth , the first bright message fled Of fair Aurora's leaving Tithon's bed . VVhen first the Queen saw the approaching light , VVith it the empty port , the ships in flight : Her breast , where yet so many beauties were , She fills with stroaks , and tears her shining hair . Then cries , O Jupiter , shall he thus flye , And fix on us so great a mockery ? Are none yet arm'd , no Ships yet thrust from shores ? Pursue with flames , bring sails , employ your Oars ; VVhat do I talk of , or where am I now ? VVhat rage , and impious fancies I allow ? Unhappy Queen , these thoughts should have born sway , Before thy Scepter thou hadst it flung away . Behold his faith , who yet they say before , His Countries gods through all his travails bore ! VVho on his shoulders bore his fathers weight , Prest too with age , declining to his fate . Cannot I throw his scatter'd limbs to waves , And give his friends too such unpittied graves ? Might not Ascanius perish by my sword , Then dish the Boy up to his fathers board ? Th' event of War is doubtfull : be it so , The dying sure never needs fear a foe . Swift flames among their ships I should have flung , In which at once , the father and the son Should have been lost , and in the same designe , With their sad fates , I would have mingled mine . Thou Sun that seest all things , that mortalls do ! Thou Juno , conscious of my passions too : And Hecate , whose howls fills night and wayes , You furies too , hear what Eliza pray's The last her dying lips ever designes ! Let your revenge be great , as are their crimes . If such an impious man , must safely find Through seas , places and Lands for him design'd , If this be fates unalterable doom , Let him among a warlike people come Vext still with such , driven from place to place , And snatch't from his Ascanius lov'd embrace . Still begging aid , let objects for his eyes Be still his wretched friends sad obsequies . And when dishonour'd peace shall all unite ; Let him enjoy neither his Crown nor Light : But fall before his day , the sand his grave , The god 's these prayers with my blood shall have . And you , O Tyrians , in your hate be just , Let that be still a tribute to my dust . Never let Love oblige , nor League make tyes , And from our loyns may some revenger rise , That on the Dardan race , may pay these scor's , With fire & sword ; may shores contend with shores , Billow's with waves , and armies against arms , And all his race parish in civill harms . This said , her crowdes of thoughts were now at strife , Which way to rid her selfe of hated life . Then to Sichaeus nurse her selfe addrest , ( Her 's in her native grave enjoyed rest ) Thus said , Dear nurse , my sister hither bring , First having hath'd her body in a spring , And with her bring the Sacrifice design'd , And you your head with sacred fillers bind . For Pluto's rites I 'le end , with them my woe , Whilst on the Dardans funerall pile I throw His Image , to the flames ungentle rage . This said , the nurse's gate shew'd haste and age . But wing'd with horrid fancies Dido flyes . Unto her fate , rolling her bloody eyes . In her fair cheeks , sad looks possest the room . And palenesse of that death that was to come . Thorough the Inner Court her stops she bends , And furiously the funerall Pile ascends . Then draws the Dardan ' sword , never design'd For such a horrid use ; her eyes next find His bed , which only now his garments bears . A little while she paus'd , by thoughts and tears Sharers in time delay'd , her selfe then cast Upon the bed , and thus she spoke her last . Dear spoils , whilst gods and fate did so agree ! Receive my life , from cares now set me free . Here I have liv'd the slave of Fortune still , Now under earth my shade some place must fill . A City I have built , reveng'd the fate Of a lost Husband , and a Brother's hate . Happy , ah too much happy I had been , Had never Trojan-Sails my Carthage seen . This said , she kiss'd the bed , then cries , Must I Thus poorly fall , and unrevenged die ? But die I must , death onely can give ease , The thoughts oft'other world alone can please . Let my last flame blaze in his cruell eyes , Shook at the Omen , whilst Eliza dies . This said , she thrust the sword into her breast , And flowing blood the wretched act exprest . The lofty Pallace ecehoes now with cries , And fame through all the shaken City flies : The roofs resound with womens houls and moans , And ecchoing aire affected seems with groans . So it had been , if to an armed Host The antient Tyre or Carthage had been lost . And the impartiall flames shewing no odds , On sinking dwellings both of men and gods . Her Sister hears , who with a shaking pace , Beating her breast , arrives unto the place ; Thorough encreasing crowds she rushing came , Still calling on her dying Sister's name . Was this thy cruell fraud , was I so prest For such a Pile ? for this were Altars drest ? What should a wretch so much forsaken do ? Did you scorn , Sister , I should die with you ? Death should have had on both an equall power , We should have shar'd one grief , one sword , one hour . These with my hands I rais'd , my prayers fled To gods , did I compose thee for the dead To live behind ? Thy fate now ruines all , Thy Sister sinks , and Kingdom in thy fall . Some water bring that I may bathe the wound , If any wandring breath may yet befound . To hers my lips so closely shall be laid , That it shall find no way but me . This said , She mounts the Pile , and in her bosom took Her Sister , yet by breath not quite forsook . She grieves , yet still attempting all she cou'd , And with her garments dries away the bloud . She strives to raise her eyes , by weaknesse prest , Her eye-lids sinck , the wound gapes on her breast . Thrice she attempted from the bed to rise , Thrice roles upon the bed with wandring eyes . She makes saint searches now for heavens light , And groanes , when found by her impairing sight . But Juno pittying the punishment Of strugling life , from heaven Iris sent , To set at freedom hēr delaying breath , Since neither fate , nor a deserved death Had caus'd her end , but fell before her time : Love's passion was alone her fate and crime . Nor yet had Proserpine took from her head Her hair , and enter'd her among the dead . From heaven then , Iris with dewie wings , On which the Sun a thousand glories flings , Flies to her head , This to the dark abode I bear , and free thee from thy body's load . She said ; then with her right hand cuts her hair , And her enlarged breath slides into aire .

P. PAPINIUS STATIUS , His ACHILLEIS ; The First Book .

The Argument . The Rape 's committed . Thetis begs in vain Of Neptune a rough storm to swell the Main . Then to Aemonia through the Sea she goes , Thessaly And visits the lov'd cause of all her woes . THe great * * Achilles , called Aeacides , from Aeac●● his Grandfather . Aeacides , my Muse , now sing ; An Issue fear'd by Heavens thundring King . Much of his acts , though in admired strains , Great Homer sung ; yet much untold remains . We his first deeds relate , and how conceal'd , In Scyros by a Trumpet 's sound reveal'd . Not of dragg'd Hector to his Chariot ty'd , I sing , but how the Youth to Troy arriv'd . Thou , Phoebus , ( if deserv'd in former layes ) Give me fresh streams , and now with second Bayes Adorn my brows . For I the hallowed ground Have known before , with sacred Fillets crown'd : Witnesse those Theban fields , for which my fame Shall last , whilst Thebes records Amphion's name . But * * Domitian the Emperor , to whom the Poet addresseth this Complement . Thou by Greeks and Romans all renown'd , Both with the wreaths of Mars and Phoebus crown'd . ( Who lately griev'dst from thy contended brow To lay the gentler one ) permit me now To guide my fearfull pen a little while , And on the great Achilles acts to toyl , Till I sing Thine , yet wanting confidence , And for thy Prelude with his name dispence . The Trojan Swain , from the Laconian Shoar Sail'd , and from unsuspecting Sparta bore A prey , and in his guilty journey showes His mother's dream fulfill'd , presaging woes . Upon those streams they sayl , where Helle found Her fate , yet now among the Sea-gods crown'd . When Thetis ( never yet , alas ! in vain Were parents prophesies ) through the clear Main , Affrighted saw the Phrygian Oars , she fled , Withall the Sea-Nymphs , from her watry bed . The almost-meeting Shores heat with the swarm , And from the throng the crowded waves grew warm . When Thetis through the parting Billows rose , To me she cry'd , This Navy threatneth woes . What Proteus told , alas ! appears too true . See Priam's kindled flames ; the daughter too Bellona brings ! a thousand Ships appear , Which Ionian and Aegean Billows bear . All the sworn Greeks whom the Atrides got Must not suffice : Land , Ocean must be sought For my Achilles . To what purpose then Was he on Pelion bred , in Chiron's den ? There with the Lapithites ( unlesse I fear In vain ) he fights , and tries his father's Spear . Ah me ! this fear upon my heart prevails Too late . Why could not I , when first these Sails Swell'd on my Streams , act what I now would do , And make a storm the lustfull Thief pursue , With all the Sea-Nymphs help'd ? Storms now will come Too late ; the Rape and Injury is done . Yet I will go , and all the remedy , That 's left , attempt ; I 'le move each deity That rules in Flouds , and beg the Ocean's King By Tethys , on the waves one storm to fling . No sooner said , but she the god espy'd , Who from Oceanus crown'd boards arriv'd . The chearing Nectar in his looks yet shin'd : At whose approach , the storms , with every wind , Were all in silence hush'd ; and round by him , Sounding their wreathed shells , the Tritons swim : The shoals of Whales , like moving Rocks , make way , And round their King , the crooked Dolphines play . He , rais'd above the quiet Ocean , rides , And with his Trident his yok'd Horses guides : They with their crooked tails the Chariot row , And from their breasts the foaming surges throw . To whom sad Thetis said , Great Ocean's King , Dost thou not see thy waves assistance bring To strange designes ? The guilty safely go , Since Sea's reserved rights were sleighted so By the bold Jason : His example left See by these follow'd , both in crime and theft : And from the friendly shores an unjust prey By the rash Judge of Ida's born away . Ah me ! what mournings shall this cause to be In heaven and earth ! and what , alas , to me ! Is this a Foster-child's return ? This way Will Venus for her Phrygian Garland pay ? At least o're-whelm these ships , ( for in the throng , No Heroes , nor our Theseus goes along ) If any justice yet in waves can be ; Or else commit the power of storms to me . Nor is 't ungentle , while 't is just that I Fear for a child . Let the mad waves swell high : Nor suffer me from Flouds to take my leave , Onely by his affected Tomb to grieve . Thus begging , she before the Chariot stood , With scattered hair . The Ruler of the Flood Invites her up , and strives such words to find , As might appease her sad afflicted mind . Ask not their ruine , Thetis : 't is in vain , The gods and Fates do otherwise ordain . Sad years to come with slaughters are decreed By Jove , Europe and Asia both must bleed . What triumphs shalt thou have in Phrygian plains , To see thy son there feed the funerall flames ? When he the Trojan fields shall stain with blood , And with like slaughters cram the blushing Flood ? Great Hector's weight shall make his Chariot slow , Those walls we rais'd his hand shall overthrow . Nor grieve that thou hast stoop'd to Peleus love , The Son thou hast by him is worthy Jove . Nor shalt thou unreveng'd for ever mourn , When they return thy pow'r shall raise a storm : False flames by night , shall Caphareus then show , And joynt-revenge wee 'l on Ulysses throw ; At this , she hung those looks that did incline , To raise a storm ; and changing the designe With labouring arms to Thessaly she swims , And on those shores she rests her snowy limbs . The mountains joy , with that much loved place , Where Peleus did the goddesse first embrace ; Above his banks the swel'd Sperchios rose , Joy'd whilst his stream about the goddesse flows . She took no joy in all , but still oppress'd With the sad fancies of her carefull breast . Thus fill'd with busie thoughts the goddesse then , Approacheth to the aged Chirons den ; Under the rock , where Pelion doth encline Like a bent bow : so wrought by Art and Time . Still here the signs remain'd , where , at their feasts , The beds were press'd by the immortall guests , Which in the stables of the Centaur stood , Not like the rest of the prodigious brood . His darts unstain'd with human cruelties , Never did he with vast subverted trees . Or massy bowls , disturb the geniall crue , Only at Beasts , his guiltlesse arrows flew . But now by age disarm'd , with herbs he tries To restore life her tired faculties : Or to Achilles , all the glorious things , Farn'd Heroes did , upon his harp he sings . 'Gainst whose return from his pursued game , The boards are crown'd ; and with the kindled flame The cave growes bright , whilst thus he did provide , Looking for him , his Mother he espy'd . To her he hasts , ( while strength his gladnesse yields ) And trots upon the long unused fields . To her he bowes his aged Limbs , and then , Leads the sad goddesse to his humble den . Her busie eye , that would not be delay'd , Quickly views all , as soon to Chiron said ; Where is my pledge ! or why do you thus trust , My child alone ? Are my sad dreams then just ? Those dreadfull visions which the gods have set Before mine eyes , I wish as vain as great . My breast seems wounded now ; my hands , to bear The signes of strokes ; wild beast's , my bosome tear . And many times I fancy in my dreams , Again I dip my child in Stygian streams . With Magick art , at last a way I 've got , To cure my fears , by the kind Proteus taught : The Youth must be to those fit parts convay'd , For such designes , in secret billows laid . Where horrid sacrifices are to th' hid , And unknown gods , But more I am forbid . These rites demand him now : Thus Thetis said : The aged Chiron else had not obey'd , If he had known what garments once should hide The youth . But ignorant he thus repli'd ; Pursue , kind goddesse , this unknown designe : With humble vows th' ungentle powers encline . Not thy ambitious prayers can succeed , To please the envious gods , nor would I breed New fears in thee ; but I confesse my share , Nor yet deceived by a Father's care : 'T is his vast strength , that thus procures my fears , Which shews too early for his tender years . At first , my threatning words he would obey , Nor would too farre about the mountains stray . Not Ossa now , nor Pelion can contain His wandrings , nor Thessalian feather'd rain . To me the Centaurs often make their moan , Forc't from their Heards , pursu'd by him alone , Who singly dares with all their troops engage , Whilst force and fraud they threaten in their rage . Lately I saw Alcides on this shore , And Jheseus , whom the Argive ship then bore . But see , he comes , — At this abruptly staid , Th' expecting goddesse chilling fears invade . The Youth arriv'd , loaded with dust and sweat , And wearied with his arms and labours ; yet . His snowy looks , the rosy blushes stain'd ; His hair the shining Gold with glittering sham'd . Upon his cheelis no Down yet seem'd to rise : A gentle lustre in his sparkling eyes Still shin'd ; his face those charming beauties wore , VVhich his admired Mother had before . So shews young Phaebus , when he doth retire From Lycia , and for shafts assumes his lyre . By chance he came in pleas'd , ( O how much more It added to what was so well before ! ) For under Pholoe in a Cave he slew A Lionesse , and took the young ones too , Which in his arms he bore . But the lov'd prey , At his dear mother's sight he threw away ; By Chiron now embrac'd , and then again Doth in his mother's jealous arms remain ; When streight his dearest friend Patroclus came , In love and age his equall ; and the same Assay'd in generous Arts to imitate , Yet short in strength , but shar'd an equall fate . The next adjacent stream Achilles seeks , And with the River cleans'd his sullied cheeks . So tired Castor in Eurota's streams Restores his looks , bright as his new Star's beams . Pleas'd Chiron on his fair proportion stares . The joy that Thetis took made great her cares . The Centaur then invites them to his Feast , And fills Lyaeus to his troubled guest . His Harp to welcome Thetis he prepares , Whose charming notes lessen the weight of cares . And having gently tri'd the warbling strings , He gives it to Aeacides , who sings . The acts of Heroes ; how great Juno's spleen Vanquish'd so oft by Hercules had been ; The Victories of Pollux ; and how too The monstrous Minotaur fam'd Theseus slew . Lastly , great Peleus , and his Mother's love He sung , the Marriage grac'd by those above . At this , sad Thetis seem'd to force a a smile . Night now laid on her heavy charms the while . Achilles the kind Centaur's shoulder took , And his affecting Mother's breast forsook .

ANNOTATIONS On the first Book of STATIUS his ACHILLEIS .

2. AN issue fear'd by heaven's thundring King . ] When Jove sought the marriage of Thetis , he was told by Proteus , that the issue that came from Thetis should exceed the father who begot it : At which , mistrusting his own Omnipotency , he left his Love to keep Heaven . The Fable is thus rendred by the incomparable Sandys , Metamorph. 11.

For aged Proteus thus foretold the truth , To wave-wet Thetis , thou shalt bear a Youth , Greater then him from whom he took his birth In Arms and Fame . Lest any thing on earth Should be more great than Jove , Jove shuns the bed Of Sea-thron'd Thetis , though her beauty led His strong desires : Who bids Aeacides Succeed his Love , and wed the Queen of Seas .

6. Scyros . ] An Island of the Aegean Sea , one of the Cyclades , over against Peloponnesus , ( as Strabo , l. 10. relateth ) having a Town of the same name ; famous most , in being the place where Achilles lived disguised . See Servius and Sabinus on Virgil's Aen. 2.

7. Not of dragg'd Hector , &c. ] Statius here proposeth his designe , to sing the acts of Achilles onely from his infancy , which Homer had omitted , justly presenting the death of Hector for all his Victories ; whose fate was Troy's ruine . Senec. Troad . v. 185.

Aut cùm superbo victor in curru stetit , Egitque habenas , Hectorem & Trojam trahens . Or when the Conqueror did his Horses guide , And Troy which Hector at his Chariot ty'd .

For Achilles having killed him , tied him to his Chariot , and dragged him thrice round the walls of Troy , as Homer , Iliad 22. Which unwelcome sight Aeneas saw painted at Carthage , Virg. Aen. 2. 487.

Ter circum Iliacos raptaver at Hectora muros , Examinumque auro corpus vendebat Achilles . Tum verò ingentem gemitum dat pectore ab imo , Vt spolia , ut currus , utque ipsum corpus amici , Tendentemque manus Priamum conspexit inermes . About Troy's walls Hector's dead body thrice Achilles dragg'd , and sold it for a price . Then from the bottom of his breast he drew A grief-expressing sigh , his friend to view , His Spoils and Charior , and how Priam stands Begging with his erected aged hands .

12. With sacred fillets bound . ] These were Ornaments for the Priests heads ; in Latine , Vittae . Hence Juvenal Sat. 4. of the Vestall Virgin , Vittat● Sacerdos . And Virgil thus presenteth Anius , Aen. 3. 80.

Rex Anius , Rex idem hominum Phoebique Sacerdos , Vittis & sacra redimitus tempora lauro . Anius a King and Priest , his Temples bound With sacred Fillets , and with Lawrel crown'd .

The Title of Priest was antiently conferr'd on Kings , as Casaubon , on Suetonius in Augusto , delivereth from Aristotle , Polit. 3. and Synesius , Epist. 121. by reason that the Government of all Commonwealths consisted in Ecclesiasticall Ceremonies , and Politicall Laws ; the care of both which belonged to Kings . Hence Augustus was created chief Priest , that all kinds of power might be in him . And as Servius observeth ( on Aen. 3. 80. ) the style of Pontifex Max. was still assumed by the succeeding Emperors ; as may also be seen in the Inscriptions of the Caesars at the end of Suetonius , set forth by Schildius 1651. Poets called themselves Phoebus Priests ; so Tibullus and Protertius frequently . Hereupon Statius here dresseth himself with Priestly Ornaments .

13. Witnesse those Theban fields , &c. ] Our Poet here intimateth his Poem of the Theban-War : So that hence , and by the ensuing Complement to Domitius it is clear , that this was Statius his second Work , and his Silvae the last . To his Thebans , with confidence enough , he here promiseth as lasting a fame , as Thebes could give Amphion the son of Jupiter and Antiope , who having ( as Plinie saith , l 7. c. 56. ) found out the use of the Harp , handled it so harmoniously , that he made stones come of their own accord to raise the Walls of Thebes . Senec. Theb. act. 4.

— nulla quas struxit manus , Sed convocatus vocis & citharae sono Per se ipse turres venit in summas lapis . Rais'd by no labouring workman's hands , but brings With his harmonious voice and charming strings The willing stones together , which compose Themselves , and into lofty Towers rose .

Some joyne his brother Zethus with him in the businesse . So Palaephatus , who reducing the Fable to a seeming truth , saith , The two Brothers admitted their Auditors to their Musick , on condition , that every one should afford his assistance to the Building . A far truer Mythologie is glanced at by Horace , De arte Poet. v. 391.

Silvestres homines sacer interpresque Deorum Caedibus & victu foedo deterruit Orpheus , Dictus ob hoc lenire Tigres rabidosque Leones . Dictus & Amphion Thebanae conditor arcis Saxa movere sono restu●inis , & prece blandâ Ducere quò vellet . Orpheus inspir'd from gods , first rude men brought From loving blood and slaughters ; hence was thought Fierce Lions and wild Tigers to have tam'd . And so Amphion with his Harp was fam'd To raise the Theban walls , and at his choice To move deaf stones with his admired voice .

So perhaps the Fable arose , from his reducing a savage people to live under a form of Government ; and for their safety ( than which , no argument can be more prevalent ) perswading them to compasse in their City with a Wall . And herein , in my opinion , he was much more judicious than Lycurgus and Agesilaus , who believed the breasts of valiant Citizens defence enough . And so also thinketh Plato , l. 6. De leg . For these reasons , Orpheus was said to have made wild beasts gentle , and Amphionto have moved stones , that is , men of savage lives and obdurat natures . Macrobius in Somn. Scip. l. 2. c. 3. keepeth closer to the Fable ; for setting forth the excellencies of Musick , he saith , That from it , the Universall Soul of the world took its originall ; and that by it therefore all men , not onely the civill , but the barbarous also , are either animated to vertue , or dissolved into pleasure ; quia anima in corpus defert memoriam Musicae , cujus in caelo fuit conscia ; Because the soul , though in the body , still retaineth a memory of that harmony which it enjoyed in heaven . And hence he conceiveth the Fables of Orpheus and Amphion had their Originall . See Clemens Alexandr . Admonit . ad Gentes , p. 2. Amphion's excellency proved his ruine : For contemning Latena , by her revenge he saw all his children slain , and at the last added himself to the number . Sandys Ovid's Metam . l. 6.

For sad Amphion wounding his own breast , Had now his sorrow with his soul releast .

13. Trojan Swain ] This title is usually given to Paris , by reason he was brought up among the shepheards . The story is thus , Hecuba being great with Paris , dreamed , she should bring forth a flame that should consume Troy , Cic. l , 1. de divinat . Whereupon Priam consulted the Oracle ; and being told , his Queen should bear a son , who should be the Incendiary of his Country , he gave order the child should be destroyed . But Hecuba desirous to preserve her Infant , conveyed him to mount Ida to be bred up among the shepheards . Where at length , being grown up , he pretended love to Oenone , and made every Tree witnesse of his Amours ; as the Nymph is made to complain by Ovid in her Epistle to Paris .

Incisae servant à te mea nomina fagi ; Et legor OENONE falce notata tuâ . Et quantum trunci , tantùm mea nomina crescunt : Crescite , & in titulos surgite ritè meos . Populus est ( memini ) fluviali confita ripâ , Est in qua nostrî litera scripta memor Popule , vive , precor , quae consita margine ripae Hoc in rugoso cortice carmen habes . CUM PARIS OENONE POTERIT SPIRARE RELICTA , AD FONTEM XANTHI VERSA RECURRET AQUA . Xanthe , retre propera , versaeque recurrite Lymphae : Sustinet Oenonen deseruisse Paris . My name 's preserv'd on every wounded Tree : Their bark OENONE bears engrav'd by thee . Whilst they encrease , my names enlarged grow ; To bear those titles may they still do so . A Poplar grows , where crystall billows glide , And shews those Letters carved on its side . Long may it live unprejudic'd by years , Whose rugged rind this false Inscription bears , If Paris leave Oenone , yet not die , Xanthus shall backward to his fountain flie . Haste back , ye charged Streams , for Paris flies His lov'd Oenone once , and yet not dies .

His casting off this Nymph was occasioned by the three goddesses repairing to him , about determining their controversie , as Oenone in the following Verses complaineth . Each goddesse endeavoured to bribe the Judge , Juno , by promising him Empire , Pallas , Wiscom ; Venus , Pleasure . This last was pronounced the fairest , and went away with the golden Apple : And in requitall , she directeth her Umpire to receive his promised reward in the fair Helen : Whom having seen he loved , and ravished from Sparta , where he had been kindly entertained . Coluthus and others say , He had her consent ; but Seneca , Troad . v. 917. bringeth her on the Stage excusing her self , by pleading Enforcement : And Gorgias , in his defence of Helen , saith , Venus commanded her to suster the Trojan to enjoy her . Others say , that Paris being sent to demand Hesione , the daughter of Laomedon , whom Hercules had carried from Troy , had order given him . That , in case the Greeks refused to deliver her , he should ravish from them whatsoever considerable Lady he could light on . So Dares Phrygius , who reporteth also , That Antenor was first sent to fetch home Hesione , but returned without her ; and that all the Grecian Princes deny'd to make any satisfaction . Yet that Hector's advice was not to revenge the Rape , by warring against their potent Confederates . And that afterwards Paris having received that encouragement from Venus , undertook the Voyage ; and , by chance , arrived at the Island Cythera , at a time when Helen was there , in a Town bearing her name : Who had no sooner heard of the Trojan Prince's arrivall , but she had a desire to see him : And so they being both enamoured of one another , Paris took her that night after his arrivall , out of Venus Temple , and brought her with him to Troy . And thus he proved that Fire-brand his mother dreamed of , kindling a flame that burnt Troy to ashes .

24. Laeonian . ] The Poets word is Oebalio , from Oebalus a King of Laconia , a region of Peloponnesus , bordering on Messenia , Argia , and Arcadia , Strabo lib. 8. Pausanias , in Arcadicis , saith , it is divided from part of Arcadia , by the River Alpbeus ▪ In this Country , stood Lacedaemon , on the West side of Eurotas , beneath the Mountain Taygetus : Strabo , l. 8. Polybius , lib. 5. But the proper name of the City was Sparta ; Lacedaemon being more commonly used for the Province , so called from a King of that name , who sometimes reigned there , and married Sparta the daughter of Eurotas , whose name the City received . To the Lacedaemonians , Jonathan High Priest of the Jews wrote a Letter ; saying , It was found in writing , that the Lacedaemonians and the Jewes were brethren , and that they were of the stock of Abraham , 1 Macc. 12. 21. Joseph , Antiq. l. 13. c. 8.

27. Vpon those streams , &c. ] i. e. the Hellespont , which is not past eight furlongs over , as Pliny testifieth ; About thirty miles below Gallipoli , it is not above half a mile over , as Sir Henry Blunt in his Travels relateth . This Strait parteth Europe from Asia : On Europe's side , standeth Sestus ; on Asia's , Abydus , Towns famous by the Loves of Hero and Leander , sung by that sweet Poet , whom Virgil giveth the preminence to , in the Elysian fields , Aen. 6. Leander perished in these streams , yet having his wishes Crowned ; as Martiall representeth him in this Epigram .

Cùm peteret dulces audax Leandrus amores , Et fessus tumidis jam premeretur aquis : Sic miser instantes affatus dicitur undas , Parcite dum propero , mergite dum 〈◊〉 . When bold Leander through the billows sought , Love's joyes , his arms now almost over-wrought With waves , he cried , Now spare me gentle Main , And let me sink as I return again .

But his Hero survived but a while ; For the next morning , seeing his dead body floting on the Waves , from the top of her Tower , she threw her self into them . Nor lesse memorable is this narrow Sea , for the bridges of Boats , that Xerxes made over it : The former of which being broken by a sudden tempest , the vain King scourged the disobedient waves , and cut off the heads of the Workmen ; and then caused another to be made with stronger ties , Heredot . P●lymniâ . The same Author reporteth of Xerxes , that taking a view of his Land forces , that filled the shores and the plains , and of his Navy , that covered the Hellespont ; He sadly wept to think , that within an hundred years , not a man of all that multitude should be living . So many they were , that Juvenal scoffingly said , Sat. 10.

— Credimus altos Defecisse amnes , epotáque flumina Medo Prandente , & madidis cantat quae Softratus alis . Ille tamen qualis rediit Salamine relictâ , In Corum atque Eurum solitus saevire flagellis Barbarus , Aeolio nunquam hoc in carcere passos ? Sed qualis rediit ? nempe unâ nave cruentis Fluctibus , ac tardâ per densa cadavera prorâ . We have believ'd deep Rivers could not find , Liquor for Xerxes army , while they din'd ; Things sung by Softratus , well drench'd with wine . Yet he that so return'd from Salamine , Once scourg'd the winds , because they rudely blew : Which in th' Aeolian caves they never knew . But how was his return ? In one small boat , Which could but slowly for dead bodies float .

So Justine , lib. 2. Erat res spectaculo digna , & aestimatione sortis humanae , rerum varietate , miranda ; in exiguo latentem videre navigio quem paulò antè vix aequor 〈◊〉 capiebat . Thus the Hellespont hath the greatest part of its fame , from the misfortunes of two kind Lovers , and one proud Prince ; It received its name from Helle , daughter of Athamas , King of Thebes , who fearing the treacheries of her Mother in Law , fled with Phryxus her Brother , and with him was , here drowned . Lucian , Dialogo Neptuni & Nereidum , saith , she fell into the water by reason of a Vertigo that took her on the suddain : And Hesiod , troubled with such another , saith , she was married to Neptune , of whom he begat Paeon .

37. What Proreus told ] This was a Sea-God , famous for his prophecying , and for the power he had to change his shape at his pleasure ; Ovid Metamorph , l. 2. v. 9. and lib. 8. v. 737. Virgil , Georg. 4. 388. Hygin . fab. 118. He fore-told Thetis , that her Son should be killed in the Trojan War : Which prophecy gave the argument to the ensuing story . This Proteus was King of Aegypt , Serv. in Aeneid. 11. and , perhaps , got this fame of transforming himselfe by his using , still to alter his temper and disposition , suitably to his affairs and occasions ; From the like ground , sprung the fame of Herculeae labours , atchieved with unimitable strength and valour . Proteus was also called Hercules , as Servius affirmeth on that of Virgil , Aen. 11. 262.

Atreides Protei Menelaus ad usque columnas , Exulat .

Those Columnes having been wholly attributed to Hercules , are there set for the bounds of Aegypt .

40. Ionian ] Over the Ionian sea , many auxiliaries came to assist the Greeks against Troy . This Sea took its name from Ion son of Dyrrhachius , whom Hercules having by mischance slain , that he might make him some amends by perpetuating his memory , threw him into this Sea ; Others alledge different reasons , but none worth setting down : Formerly , as Pausanias saith , it was accounted part of the Adriatick . But Ptolomy , in his description of Macedon , attributeth that part of the Adriatick which washeth Macedonia on the East , to the Ionian . But Pliny , lib. 3. c. 6. more rightly divideth these two Seas , by the Ceraunian , or ( as Horace , lib. 1. Carm. Od. 3. v. 20. calleth them ) Acroceraunian mountains : From which the Ionian Sea reacheth to the promontory of Malea .

¶ Aegean billows ] A Sea between Asia and Greece , full of Islands called Cyclades and Sporades ; of as uncertain Etymology , as the Ionian . Most say , it had its name from Aegeus , the father of Theseus : Who going to fight the Minotaur , was charged , if he got the victory , to give notice thereof at his return by a white sail ; But he forgetting so to do , his Father , from his Tower seeing the ship coming without the token of successe , gave his Son for lost , and for grief cast himselfe into the Sea . But some derive the name from Aege , a Queen of the Amazons ; Strabo , from Aegae , a Sea-Town in Eubaea , Servius in Aen. 3. calleth that the Aegean , which is between the Hellespont and the Adriatick ; others , that between the Hellespont , and Tenedus . It is now named the Archipelago .

41. All the sworn Greeks , which the Atrides got ] i. e. Menelaus and Agamemnon , called Atridae , from Atreus , their supposed father . But they were indeed the sons of Philisthenes , and onely bred by Atreus their Uncle ; These two Brethren , to revenge the injury done by Paris , having assembled the whole strength of Greece at Aulis , bound them all by an Oath , to see Troy ruined , or never to return , Serv. in Aen. 4. as will also appear in the third book of this Poem . Thucydides , lib. 1. glanceth at the reason of the unanimous consent of the Greeks , to punish the rape of Helen , viz. an Oath by which Tyndarus had obliged all that came Suitors to his daugher , that they should revenge whatsoever wrong should be done to him that should enjoy her ; But he rather believeth , that Agamemnon being heir to the houses of Perseus and Pelops , and ( as Homer styleth him ) King of many Islands , was the chief cause of the Expedition . The account of the ships in this Fleet , is various in severall Authors ; Dictys Cretensis maketh them , 1138. Dares , 1140. Homer , 1193. our Author here , with a Poeticall carelessenesse , reckoneth them but 1000. So Seneca , in Agamemnon , and Virgil , Aen. 2.

Talibus insidiis , perjurique arte Sinonis , Credita res : captique dolis lacrimisque coactis , Quos neque Tydides , nec Larissaeus Achilles ; Non anni domuêre decem , non mille carinae . Thus they themselves , made captives by belief Of Sinon's perjur'd fraud and feigned grief . Not Diomed , nor Aeacides prevails , Nor ten years War , nor yet their thousand fails .

Thucydides saith , the number of the Souldiers was not great : But by an indifferent judgement on his own words , the 1200 ships , as he numbreth them , carried 102000 men ; a number in my opinion , not to be made so slight of . Some , as Dion Chrysostomus , have made a question , whether there ever was such a War ; although it hath employed the pens of Homer , Dares Phrygius , Dyctis Cretensis , Lycephron with his Scholiast , and Josephus Iscanius , and hath been believed by so many Authors in succeeding ages . That a siege should continue ten whole years , seemed ridiculous to some ; but Thucydides , lib. 1. initio , giveth a reason for it : Others have conceived , and our late Travellers have also observed , that a potent King could not reign in so inconsiderable a place . Neither do the ruines give testimony of an ample and famous City ; And though there never were such a War , yet is it not to be wondred at , that so many have reported it , and that more have believed it : since the report of false-hoods , especially , when favoured by an antient penne , gaineth belief , either because it cannot be disproved , or because the crediting of it saveth pains . Besides , things are seldome examined or disputed , where interest is not concerned .

44. On Pelion bred , in Chiron's den ] Pelion is a mountain of Thessaly , in the Territory of Magnesia , joyning to the mountain Ossa : Herodot . lib. 7. In mount Pelion , was the Cave of Chiron ; who ( as the rest of the Centaurs ) was like an Horse behind , but forward like a Man : S. Ifidore , lib. 4. holdeth that he was so represented , quia medicinam jumentorum quidam Chiron Graecus invenit , because he found out medicines for beasts . And he was named Chiron , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , because he was a Chirurgion ; Suidas saith , he was the son of Ixion , and the Cloud , as the others Centaurs also were : whom Virgil , Aen. 6. placeth in Stables in hell . But he is generally said , to have been the son of Saturn , and Phillyra : So Pindar , Pyth. od . 4. And Virgil , lib. 3. Georg v 550. Phillyrides Chiron . according to the custom of the Greeks , who were wont to give the Parent 's names to the children ; Servins , on the place affirmeth the same : This Chiron , the justest of all the Centaurs , as Statius representeth him , was Master not onely to Achilles , but to Hercules also , Jason , Aesculapius , Castor , and others , ( Apollon. Argonaut . lib. 3. ) Hermippus styleth him , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Centaurum sapientem , in Clemens Alexandrinus , Strom. lib. 1. He first taught men to love justice , shewing the sacred Rites of the gods , the figures and natures of the heavenly bodies ; His reputation was so great , that some of the Achaians sacrificed to him , as Eusebius writeth , lib. 4. Prepar . Evang. citing Monimus , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . A poysoned arrow of Hercules , by chance wounding Chiron's foot , he desired death , but could not obtain it , being the issue of immortall parents ; At last , Jupiter advanced him to be a signe in Heaven , called Sagittariks .

Armatúsque arcu Chiron .

Virgil , de XII Signis . So Seneca , Thyest . act. 4 : Lucian , in his Dialogue between Menippus and Chiron , maketh Chiron give another reason , Why he was out of Love with immortality here ; Because this life wanteth variety , and is nothing but the repetition , and doing again and again , of the same things : And he promised himselfe in the other World , to be free from Thirst and Hunger , and whatsoever begetteth care . And though Lucian maketh Menippus advise the Centaure , not to feed himselfe with hopes of that nature ; yet we may have a better opinion of his wishes , having more knowledge of the joys of the next life , and enough of this to be of Plutarch's mind , Consolat . ad Apollonium .

Terra malis scatet , adversis pelagusque redundat . O Mors , veni nostris certus medicus malis , Qui portus humanis es tempestatibus . Aeschylus , ibid. The Earth hath no such plenty as her woes ; The Ocean too with misery o'reflows . Come , Death , thou cure of all this misery , The Port where all from storms securely lie .

62. The Tritons swim . ] These by the Poets are commonly called Neptune's Trumpeters , and were the issue of him and Salacia , Servius in Aeneid . 1. That excellent Trumpeter Misenus oweth his death to the malice of a Triton , Aen. 6. v. 170.

Se● tum forte cava dum personat aequora concha Demens , & cantu vocat in certamina Divos , Aemulus exceptum Triton ( si credere dignum est ) Inter saxa virum spumosa immerserat unda . But on a Rock whilst he by chance the charms Of Mars rung out , and all the gods alarms With the loud challenge from his wreathed shell , ( If it be worth belief what others tell ) Whirl'd by an envious Triton from that height , Among the rocks and waves he found his fate .

So Virgil , Aen 10. v. 209. Ovid , Metam . l. 1. v. 333. and Claudian , de Nuptiis Honorii & Mariae , give Triton the character of Neptuue's Trumpeter , Seneca Troad . act . 2. Triton cecinit hymenaeum ; that is , with his shell or trumpet ; for none ascribe human voice to a Triton . Plinie , lib. 9. c. 5. saith , The Emperor Tiberius was told , That a Triton was seen in a cave winding a shell . Gillius , in Additionib . ad Aelian , and Alexander ab Alex. lib. 3. cap. 8. relate , That there was a Fountain near the Sea-shore , frequently used by the Inhabitants , whence women and virgins fetched water daily ; which a Triton , that lay hid on the shore , espying , on a sudden ravished one of them , which his hot fancy had most liking to : And that afterwards , he being caught in a snare and imprisoned , died for grief . The same Author reporteth , that one Trapezuntius , to whom he affordeth a fair character , told some friends , That he had seen a Maid of an exceeding beauty playing in the Sea , and ever and anon from the middle upward appearing above the water , till at length perceiving she was discovered , she plunged her self into the Deep . Claudius the Emperor , by a device , made a Triton appear in the middle of a Lake , rising out of the water , and sounding a Trumpet , Sueton. in Claudio , c. 21. Which spectacle was afteward commonly shewed in the Theaters , as Casaubon on that place relateth .

73. By the bold Jason . ] Statius here glanceth at the story of Jason's ravishing Medea with the golden Fleece , comparing that act of his with this of Paris . Jason was the first who violated the Sea's reserved rights , as Seneca Medea , act. 3. chor . ult . It was the opinion formerly , that Seas were set as bounds , to confine every man within his own Country , and that no man's ambition should aim at more than the higher powers had placed him in . This among others Seneca Hippol. act. 2. maketh an argument of the innocency of the Antients .

Nondum secabant credulae pontum rates : Sua quisque nôrat maria . No ventrous ship , trusted the waves or wind : But all men were with their own Seas confin'd .

76. By the rash Judge of Ida. ] Paris , whose judgment is accus'd of rashnesse , because he preferred Pleasure before Wisdom or Empire ; and because his fond choice was his Countrie 's ruine , Horat. lib. 3. Carm. Od. 3.

— Ilion , Ilion Fatal is incestusque judex Et mulier peregrina verti● In pulverem . Troy by a fatall Judge's lust , And a strange Woman , turn'd to dust .

So Seneca , Troad . act. 1. calleth him , The fatall Judge . Wherefore our Poet justly giveth him here the title of a rash one . For any thing that is fatall , is hardly to be freed from the imputation of Rashnesse .

79. A Foster-child . ] Venus : who was bred of the Ocean , as Hesiod in Theog . and Pausanias in Corinthiacis , relate . By Seneca , Hippol. act. 1. she is called Diva generata ponto . This was the greatest reason that Leander encouraged himself withall , to swim over the Hellespont . Musoeus vers. 248. — 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ; 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . — why dost thou fear the waves ? Know'st thou not Venus from the Sea first came , Mistresse both of the Ocean and my flame ? Servius in Aen. 5. writeth , that Venus was therefore said to be born of the Sea , quia dicunt Physici sudorem salsum esse , quem semper elicit coitus Hence the Myrtle was consecrated to Venus , because that Tree prospereth best on the Sea-shore . Like this is that of Coelius Rhodiginus , lib. 14. c 4. Lascivos Graeci 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 vocant i. e. humidos , &c. because venereall appetites proceed from moisture . Hence Poets took occasion to feign , that Venus sprung from the Ocean . Caspar Bartholinus Adversar . l. 21. c. 22. giveth this Mythologie , Eam Fabulam aliquando arbitratus sum exinde venire , quòd Venus prima questûs faciendi causâ corpus prostituit , velut insatiabile pelagus omnes ad se trahens . I was sometimes of opinion , saith he , that the Fable arose from hence , Because Venus was the first who prostituted her body for hire , like an insatiable Sea attracting all to her . More of Venus is to be seen in Gyraldus , Histor. Deor. Syntagm . 13. Turnebus 9. Adversar . c. 2. Natalis Comes , Mytholog lib. 4. c. 13. Fulgentius , Mythol . l. 2. But above all , I prefer the Interpretation of the Fable which Macrobius giveth , Saturnal . lib. 1. c. 8. That by the secret parts of Coelus , which were cut off by his son Saturn , and thrown into the Sea , and of the froth whereof Venus was engendred , were meant the seeds of things falling from Heaven , as soon as there was such a thing as Time ; which Saturn is always held-to signifie . And by Coelus nothing can be understood but COELUM , Heaven ; Servius in Aen. 5. denying , that the proper name of any god can be of the Neuter Gender . Cicero lib. 3. De nat. Deor. telleth us of four Venus's ; one the daughter of Coelus and Light ; another of the Froth of the Sea , of whom , and Mercurie , Cupid was begotten ; a third of Jupiter and Dione the wife of Vulcan ; the fourth of Syrus and Syria . This last was married to Adonis , and her the Syrians named 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , the Hebrews Ashteroth , 1 King . 11. 5. Judg. 2. 13. And as Tully reckoneth many Venus's , so , as Mr. Selden saith , De Diis Syris syntagm. 2. c 2. St. Augustine interpreteth 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , as if there were many Astartes . This goddesse had many sacrifices offered to her , Alexand. ab Alexandro , l. 3. c. 12. and from thence had her name , Ashtaroth signifying greges : Suspiceris ( saith Scaliger in Conjectaneis ) dictam eam à Victimarum multitudine . She was entituled also , The goddesse of Love , or rather of Lasciviousnesse . Clemens Alexandrinus telleth us , that once all her pictures were made after the likenesse of Phryne , a famous Whore , and that the man who , like another Pygmelton , could embrace the statue of the goddesse , conceited himself religious , Admon . ad Gentes : where he also setteth down her lascivious Ceremonies . Mr. Gregorie writing of the Assyrian Monarchie , relateth , that there was a custom , that every woman should once in her life repair to the Temple of Venus , and there prostitute her body to any one that would throw her down a piece of mony , which was to be given to the Temple , and to the honor of the goddesse . The manner was for the women to sit down in the Temple , distinguished by little lines or cords , which he that had a mind might take away , or break , if the woman seemed coy , and so take the strumpet out of the Temple into a by corner . This is expressed in the Epistle ascribed to Jeremie , at the end of Baruch , v. 43. The woman also with cords about them fitting in the ways , burn bran for perfume ; but if any of them , drawn by some that passeth by , lie with him , she reproacheth her fellow , that she was not thought as worthy as her self , nor her cord broken . Such attendants this goddesse had as we read , 2 King . 23. 7. And he broke down the houses of the Sodomites that were by the house of the Lord , where the women wove hangings for the Grove . This place Mr. Selden interpreteth thus , Diruit quoque domos scortatorum — ubi mulieres texebant cortinas pro Aserah , seu luco . Of which , see his De Diis Syris , Synt. 2. c. 2. & 4. pag. 237. & 283. Thus far I have digressed , to shew the antiquity of this lascivious goddesse ; which was not the production onely of fictious brains . Nor is it to be wondred at , that a thing so loathsome and ridiculous should meet with adoration ; for the whole Religion of the Gentiles is so contrived , as to agree with licentious appetites . Which easie way to propagate a novelty , Mahomet well understood ; nor is it now wholly unpractised .

88. By his affected tomb to grieve ] Thetis here expresseth a passion , so great for her Son , that if his fate , as sore-told , should be to perish in the Trojan War , she would leave the Ocean , and ever mourn in those waves , that should wash the place of his Sepulchre : And that was the Sigean promontory . There Alexander the Great performed ceremonies in his memory , declaring him happy , who in his life enjoyed such a friend as Patroclus , and after death , doth still live by Homer : Plutarch , in Alexandro . Cicero Epist. ad famil . l. 5. cp. 12.

107. Caphareus . ] Neptune being forced by the crosse decrees of the Fates to deny Thetis petitioning for a storm against the Greeks , to appease her somewhat , telleth her , that the Trojans should be ruined by the valour of her son , and herselfe be revenged on the Greeks at Caphareus , who should there suffer ship-wrack . Whereof the Tragedian thus .

— Hanc arcem occupat Palamedis ille genitor , & clarum manu Lumen nefanda vertice è summo efferens , In saxa ducit perfidâ classem face . Haerent acutis rupibus fixae rates . Upon whose summit Nauplius stood , and rais'd In his revenging hand a Light that blaz'd . Whose treacherous flame the navy guides betwixt The wracking Rocks , whose points the vessels fix't . Seneca Agamemn . act. 3. v. 557.

Nauplius's grudge against the Greeks , arose from this occasion ; Vlysses having charged Palamedes , for holding correspondence with Priam , and writing letters to him , discovered , as a proof of his Treachery , an heap of Gold in his Tent , which he before hand had closely conveyed thither . Whereupon , innocent Palamedes was stoned to death , Serv. in Aen. 2. Dictys Cretensis , and Dares Phrygius , give other accounts of him : Dares , that he was killed by Paris , lib. oe excidio Trojano ; Dictys , that Diomedes and Vlysses , over-whelmed him with stones in a well , whither he , suspecting no foul play , went down to fetch up Treasure , which they told him was hid there , and he should have his share of it , lib. 2. Caphareus is an high Hill in Eubaea , over-looking the Hellespont : On the top of this , Nauplius caused fires to be made by night , to allure the weather-beaten Greeks to fall upon the Rocks , that so he might revenge his son's death upon them .

108. Joynt-revenge ] Neptune promiseth Thetis to joyn with her against Vlysses . His quarrell with him , was upon the account of his son Polypheme , whose eye Vlysses had bored out : Which story is thus related by Achaemenides , to Aeneas , Aen. 3.

— Domus sanie dapibúsque cruentis , Intus opaca , ingens . Ipse arduus , altáque pulsat Sidera ( Dii talem terris avertite pestem ! ) Nec visu facilis , nec dictu affabilis ulli ; Visceribus miserorum & sanguine vescitur atro , Vidi egomet , duo de numero cùm corpora nostro , Pr'ensa manu magna , medio resupinus in antro Frangeret ad saxum , sanieque adspersa natarent Limina : vidi , atro cùm membra fluentia tabo Mandere● , & trepidi tremerent sub dentibus artus . Haud impunè quidem : nec talia passus Vlysses , Oblitusve suî est Ithacus discrimine tanto . Nam simul expletus dapibus , vinóque sepultus , Cervicem inflexam posuit , jacuitque per antrum Immensum , saniem eructans & frusta cruento Per somnum commixta mero ; nos magna precati Numina , sortitique vices , unà undique circum Fundimur , & telo lumen tenebramus acuto Ingens , quod torva solum sub fronte latebat . — Slaughters and bloody feast , With shades the vastnesse fill'd . He high and tall The starres assaults . ( The gods such plagues from all Avert ! ) His voice and visage stern : his food , Bowels of slaughtred wretches and black blood . As in his den he lay along , I saw Two of our men , grasp'd by his cursed paw , And dash'd against the rock : the blood all ore , With purple drops drenched the sprinkled floor . Limbs flowing with black gore I saw him eat , And in his teeth the trembling sinews beat . Nor unreveng'd their fates Vlysses bears , But mindfull of himself in all appears . For now ore-charg'd with wine and bloody feasts , His head bent down , as in his Cave he rests , Wine mix'd with clotty gore returning flows , Which belch'd up from his grave-like breast he throws . Burl'd in sleep : We all the gods implore , Spreading our selves round on the bloody floor , And with a sharp spear fix'd eternall night . Upon his brow , rob'd of its onely light .

Servius , on this place , saith , That Polyphemus was some wise man , and therefore feigned to have his eye in his forehead , that is , near the brain , which Vlysses , being wiser than he , put out . But by the Cyclopes generally are understood the Vapors of the Sea or Earth : and hence , perhaps , Polyphemus , the chief of them , was said to be the son of Neptune , by whom was meant , according to Chrysippus , the spirit that moved the waters . Cic. lib. 1. de Nat. Deor. And Vlysses was therefore seigned to overcome Polypheme , because he found out these naturall causes .

111. Thessalie . ] A Region of Greece , girt about with Mountains , Olympus , Ossa , and Pelion , on the North ; Othrys and Oeta Southward ; and Pindus on the West . Its bounds are exactly set down by Herodotus , lib. 7. It was antiently called Pyrrhaea , from Pyrrha the wife of Deucalion , Strabo lib. 10. Afterward Aemonia , from Aemon ; from whose son Thessalus , at last it was called Thessalie .

115. Sperchios . ] A River in Thessalie , issuing from Mount Pelion , and falling into the Malian Bay , ten furlongs from Thermopylae , Strab. lib. 9.

129. Disturb the geniall crue ] Our Poet glanceth at the fray between the Centaurs and the Lapithae , which hapned at the marriage of Pirithous , so excellently described by Ovid , and after him by the enjoyer of his Genius , Mr. Sandys . Genius ( from which Genial is derived ) est nascendt atque nature deus , à gignendo dictus . Hence the four Elements , whereof all Inferior bodies are generated , were called Dii geniales ; and the Nuptiall-bed , Lectus genialis . See Turnebus Adversar l. 16. c. 19. & l. 26. c. 14. Genii were accounted the moderators and disposers of the Planets , and their Influences , at mens Nativities . Horace lib. 2 epist. 2.

Scit Genius , natale comes qui temperat afirum .

Those Doemons also whom , the Heathen attribute so much the dependancie of our resolutions unto , were called Genii , as begetting the thoughts of men , and working on them . And perhaps the frequency of these Spirits and opinions , before our Saviour's time , was the occasion of that more absurd conceit , set down by scoffing Lucian in his Menippus , That the shadows which our bodies cast in the Sun-shine will be witnesse against us in the other world . With reference to these Genii must that of the Poet. Aen. 6. v. 643. be interpreted , Quisque suos patimur manes . i. e. Every one in the next life must receive either punishment for the crimes he committed , by hearkning to his woes●r Genius , or rewards for the good he wrought , by the assistance of his better . For two Genii , they say , one good , ( the other bad , ) attend every man from his birth . This the Heathen were taught by their gods ; the Devil herein , as in many other things , playing the Ape , and imitating the true God ; who indeed giveth his Angels charge over us , ( see Clemens Alexandrinus , lib. 5. Serum ) that we be not overcome by the power of evill Spirits . For we wrestle not , saith the Apostle , Ephes. 6. 12. against flesh and blood , but against principalities , against powers , against the rulers of the darknesse of this world , against spirituall wickednesse : 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , here translated , in high places ; which is not at all assisting , if not prejudiciall to the meaning of the verse . Beza rendreth it , Quae sunt in sublimi , something nearer , But I see not why the words should not be rendred , in the lower Heavens , that is , the Aire , the habitation of these Daemons , as Mr. Mede , on 2 Pet. 2. 4. and Jude 6. doth prove . And it is observed , that for the Heaven of Heavens , or supernaturall Heaven , the word 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ▪ is always used . In relation to this sense , Origen useth the Verse in his writings against Gelsus . Moreover , judicious Calvin on the place , intimateth as much , where the Interpretation he useth , is , Incoelestibus . Diodate also understandeth , The region of the aire , in which evill spirits , driven cut of heaven , do wander . And by Principalities he understandeth evill Angels ; excellently adding , that in the quality of their nature , and in the power which God suffereth them to have over the world , they have also something common with the holy Angels , in the eminency of Titles . Yet he there retracteth this Interpretation , in my opinion for a worse .

153. with Magick art . ] Thetis , desirous to conceal from Chiron the purpose she had , to disguise his Schollar in woman's apparell , whom he by rigid principles had fitted for the hardest employments , beareth him in hand , that ominous dreams moved her to attempt the prevention of his fate by Magict Art . Such a deceit passionate Dido beguiled her sister withall , pretending to seek onely a remedy for her love , when indeed her plot was to cousen her self of life .

Ergo ubi concepit furion , evicta dolore , Decrevitque mori , tempus secum ipsa modumque Exigit , & maestam dictis aggressa sororem , Consilium vultu tegit , ac spem fronte serenat . Inveni , germana , viam ( gratare sorori ) Quae mihi reddat eum , vel eo me solvat , amantem . Oceani finem iuxta solemque cadentem , Vltimus Aethiopain locus est , ubi maximus Atlas Axem humero torquet stellis ardentibus aptum . Hinc mihi Massylae gentis monstrata sacerdos , Hesperidum templi custos , epulasque Draconi Quae dabat , & sacros servabat in arbore ramos , Spargens humida mella soporiferumque papaver . Haec se carminibus promittit solvere mentes Quos velit , ast aliis duret immittere curas : Sistere aquam fluviis , & vertere sidera retro : Nocturnosque ciet-manes-Mugire videbis Sub pedibus terram , & descendere montibus orn●s . Virg. Aen. 4. Vanquish'd with grief , and now resolv'd to die , The means and time to act the Tragedy She plots : And , with feign'd joy to hide her crime , Thus to her sister saith ▪ Joy that the time ▪ Is come , that I shall now procure my rest , And gain his love , or freedom to my breast . Near to the Ocean's bounds , where Phoebus flies To end his course , burnt Aethiopia lies : Where on his loaden shoulders Atlas bears Heaven , which fill'd with glittering Starrs appears . Hence a Massylian came , the Temple'● Priest Of the Hesperides , who there did feast The watchfull Dragon , and preserved too The Tree on which the sacred branches grew , With Hony and mix'd Poppy , which conveys . A drousie dulnesse : By her charms , she says , She can dissolve a passion , and procure A scornfull breast another to endure , Stop in its speed the swiftest stream , and all The Stars turn backward from their course , and call Ghosts from the howling earth , and from the high Tops of the Hills make stubborn Trees to flie .

That Witches had such a faculty as Dido here speaketh of , to quench or kindle love at their pleasure , former times believed . Carmine Thessalidum dura in praecordia fluxit Non fatis adductus amor ; flammisque severi Illicitis arsêre senes . Thessalian charms , without assisting fate , Can passion give to hearts stil us'd to hate . Severe old men are fetter'd with Love's chains , And their chill breasts burn with unlawfull flames . Lucan lib. 6. vers. 452. And a little after , — Quos non concordia misti Alligat ulla tori , blandaeque potentia formae , Traxerunt torti Magicâ vertigine fili . — Those who ne're car'd to try Love's joys , whom Hymen's knots could never tye ; Whom charming beauty never yet compell'd , A slender thread , by Magick ty'd , hath held .

Their power also in other things the same noble Poet thus describeth .

Cessavêre vices rerum : dilataque longâ Haesit nocte dies : legi non paruit aether : Torpuit & praeceps audito carmine mundus . Axibus & rapidis impulsos Jupiter urgens Miratur non ire polos . Nunc omnia complent Imbribus , & calido producunt nubila Phoebo : Et tonat ignaro coelum Jove . Vocibus iisdem Humentes latè nebulas , nimbosque solutis Excussêre comis , ventis cessantibus aequor Intumuit : rursum vetitum sentire procellas Conticuit , turbante Noto : puppimque ferentes In ventum tumuêre sin●s . De rupe pependit Abscissâ fixus torrens : amnisque cucurrit Non quà pronus erat . Nilum non extulit aestus . The course of things was stopp'd : nor Heaven obey'd Its Laws : the Day in Night's black Arms delay'd . The tott'ring world these potent charms benum , And while the rapid Poles forget to run , Jove stands amaz'd . A storm obeys , and shrowds , Phoebus adorn'd with all his rays , in clowds . Jove ignorant the Thunder hears . The same Dire voice , with loose dishevell'd hair again Shattereth the dropping clowds : Seas swell with waves , The winds all hush'd ; again , though Notus raves , The Seas becalmed lie . Ships make their way Against the wind , and rushing torrents stay Thrown from a precipice . Streams backward run : Nor Nile o're flows the plains scorcht by the Sun .

These places I have produced , to shew what an opinion the antient Heathen had of Witches . I will onely add , that I find that the Tyrians had a custom , to tie the Images of their gods with bands , lest they should be called from them by the charms of their enemies , Alexand. ab Alex ▪ l 4. c 12. And so subject were those gods to the power of charms , that they were thereby compelled to come , nor could return back without license obtained ; Euseb ▪ de praepar . Evang. l. 5. c. 8 , & 9. From this opinion arose that question in Lucan , lib. 6. v. 492.

Quis labor hic superis cantus herbasque sequendi , Spernedique timor ? cujus commercia pacti Ob ▪ rictos tenuêre Deos ? parere necesse est , An juvat ? ignota tantum pietate mere n'ur ? . What is it makes the fearfull gods forbear To scorn both herbs and charms ? whence comes this fear ? Doth strong necessity , or their own designe , Or piety unknown , them thus incline ?

I shall say more of this subject haply hereafter , when a more proper place shall afford opportunity . But thus much at present , to shew , that Chiron had reason to believe Thetis , when she told him , that she would make use of Magick for her son's preservation .

166. The envious gods . ] Our Poet is here thought to have no further aime , than to set forth the praises of his Achilles , as if he deserved the envy of the gods . But I have observed Statius to be a great imitator of Virgil , who was still wont to omit no occasion of interweavning his Learning with his Poetry : wherein Macrobius strongly justifieth him . Since these words therefore will afford it , hold it not amisse to interpret them to the more learned sense .

There was a generall Tradition among the Heathen , That the gods envied any perfection or happinesse in Mankind . This proceeded from the Devill 's policy , who from the beginning of the world endeavoured to represent God envious unto Man , in that h● denied him the knowledge of good and evill ; as Junius and Dioda● observe on Gen. 3. Learned Merick Casaubon , in his Cause of tempora Evills , saith , that Aristotle sets down this opinion , That God i 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , envious ; but protesteth against it , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , It is not possible it should be so ; yet saith , That if it were so indeed , that the nature of God could be envious , that Envy must needs consist in hidenying of men the happinesse of certain knowledge and contemplation . That impious Philosopher Porphyrie , directly chargetl God with envy , for forbidding the Tree of Knowledge : Who is answered by Greg. Nazianzen , Orat. 38. Such impious men perhaps take offence at Gen. 3. 22 , 23. I forbear to produce further Testimonies , to prove , there was such an opinion among the Heathen , I do not think them needfull ; since it is certain , the Devill would let slip no occasion of raising prejudice against God , and charging him with his own crime . Through envy of the Devill came death into the world , Wisd. 2. 24. It was the Devil's envy that made Man lose Paradise , and not God , who placed him in it . Another reason why the gods were conceived to envy men , was , Because all their prosperity and happinesse , is at length requited with crosses and calamity . Examples of such change are frequent in all times : Among all , scarce is there any more notable then that of the once-Great Pompey , flying alone after his overthrow in Pharsalia , Lucan . lib. 1. v. 28.

— Sed longi poenas Fortuna favor is Exigit à misero , quae tanto pondere famae Res premit adversas , fatisque prioribus urget . Nunc festinatos nimiùm fibi sentit honores , Actaque lauriferae damnat Syllana juventae . Nunc & Corycias classes & Pontica signa , Dejectum , meminisse piget . Sic longius aevum Destruit ingentes animos , & vita superstes Imperio . Nisi summa dies cum fine bonorum Affuit , & celeri praevertit tristia leto , Dedecori est fortuna prior . Quisquámne secundis Tradere se fatis audet , nisi morte paratâ ▪ But Fortune with her favour still beguiles , And with sad woes pursues her former smiles . His fame most presseth his declining state , And former glories add unto the weight . Too hasty now his early fame he found , And blames those wreaths with which his Youth was crown'd . Of Pontick or Corycian Victories Now when he thinks , his flaming blushes rise . Thus greatest minds consuming Age destroys , And Life survives our Empires and our Joys . Unlesse life with those joys together flow , And a swift fate prevent ensuing woe , To Fortune Shame succeeds . In the best state Let none confide , unlesse prepar'd for Fate .

Another instance of the mutability of Fortune , was that great Souldier , Hannibal ; whose prophetick spirit was sensible of this , almost fatall , necessity : as we may see in that incomparable speech , which Livy maketh him speak to Scipio ; advising not to trust the gods and Fortune too farre : telling him , that what Scipio was then , himself had been ▪ after the battels at Tras●emen● and Cannae ; and that Fortune had never yet deceived him . Thus he spake to move his enemy to accept peace , conceiving no argument of more force , then the consideration of the vicissitude of human affairs . And his words , though then slighted , Scipio himselfe afterwards found true , and had sad experience , both of the inconstancy of Fortune , and of the ingratitude of his Country . To these , I might adde the examples of Marius , Caesar , and infinite others , out of the stories of former times , with more prodigious ones of our own age ; Habet has vices conditio mortalium , saith Pliny in his excellent Ranegyrick , ut adversa ex secundis , ex adversis secunda nascantur . Occultat utrorumque semina Deus ; & pletunque bonorum malorumque causae sub diversa specie latent : The condition of mortalls , hath these changes , that adversity should spring out of prosperity , and prosperity out of adversity . The seeds of both , God concealeth ; and for the most part , the causes of good and evill , things lie hid under a different species . Herodotus relateth , how Amasis King of Aegypt , counselled his friend Polycrates , King of Samos , That he should interrupt the course of his felicity , by casting quite away something that he held most dear , and the losse whereof would most afflict him . Plutarch , De consol . ad Apollonium , telleth us , that Theramenes , one of the thirty Tyrants at Athens , being at Supper with many friends , the house where they were , suddenly fell down , and he onely escaped . Many upon this , gave him the name of Happy : But he crying our , asked , For what sadder death Fortune had reserved him ? And indeed , the Torments he endured before his end , added him to the number of those examples , which serve to admonish prosperous persons , of the uncertainty of their Estate , Seneca , Troad . act. 2.

Violenta nemo imperia continuit diu : Moderata durant . Quóque fortuna altius Evexit ac levavit humanas opes , Hoc se magis supprimere felicem decet , Variósque casus tremere , metuentem Deos Nimiùm faventes . None violent Empires long enjoy secure : They 're moderate conditions that endure . When Fortune raiseth to the greatest height , The happy man should most suppresse his state , Exspecting still a change of things to find , And fearing when the gods appear too kind .

It is an excellent Character , that Macrobius giveth of Fortitude , Tolerare fortiter vel adversa vel prospera , To bear with courage , either adverse or prosperous Fortune , in Somn. Scipionis , l. 1. c. 8. And perhaps , it may aime at our sense , In the best condition , without distemper , to exspect the worst . This dreading invidiam Numinis , was the cause , why that mighty Emperour Augustus , used once a year , Cavam manum asses porrigentibus praebere , as Suetonius in his Life relateth , c. 91. To beg with his open , or hollow , hand ; the most opprobrious way of begging . On which place , see learned Casaubon , giving reasons from the generally received opinion , thus elegantly expressed by Erasmus , in his Philodoxus , Saepe mecum admirari sole● seu Fortunae seu Naturae invidentiam , quae nihil omnino commodi largitur mortalibus quod non aliquo temperet incommodo , i. e. I have often wondred with my self at the envy , either of Fortune or Nature , who never dispense things convenient to mankind , which are not tempered with some inconvenience . For this Philip of Macedon , kept a Youth , whose office was , every Morning thrice to salute him thus , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Philip , thou art a man , Aelian . var , hist. l. 8. c. 15. I will end all with a passage of Diodorus Siculus , Biblioth. hist. lib. 3. Thus rendered by Merick Casaubon , in his Cause of evils , Neverthelesse , God ( 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ) hath not afforded unto men any entire happinesse , without some blemish or envy ; but to these his blessings he hath annexed somewhat that is hurtfull , which might serve to admonish them , who through continuance of worldly blessings , are wont to grow into a contempt of the Gods . Whether our Poet had an eye to this opinion , I cannot say ; Certainly , his words seem to look that way , and so my discourse is excused from impertinency .

195. Pholoe ] A woody mountain of Arcadia , having a Town of its own name , Plin. l. 4. c. 6.

207. So tired Castor . ] Statius here compareth Achilles to Castor , whose beauty he maketh as bright as his own starre . He and Pollux were the sons of Tyndarus and Leda : And their amity was so great , that they never differed either in matter of Power or Counsell . For which Hyginus saith , Jove translated them into Stars ; Servius in Aeneid . 6. saith , that Helen and Pollux were begotten by Jupiter , in the shape of a Swan , and from him , drew immortality ; but that Castor was the son of Tyndarus , and so mortall : but by the extream kindnesse of his brother , and the concession of Jupiter , mortality and immortality , was equally divided betwixt them , Virgil , Aen. 6.

Sic fratrem Pollux alterna morte redemit .

The fable arose from the Stars , one whereof ever riseth at the setting of the other , as if the fate and fall of one redeemed his fellow ; That these brethren were ever watchfull for the Roman Common-wealth , Valerius Maximus proveth by many examples , lib ▪ 1. c. 8. Also Plutarch in the Life of Paulus Aemylius relateth their meeting of L. Domitius , and how they gave him in charge to make known to the Senate and people of Rome , that they were victorious ; which as yet they were uncertain of : And then , ( as Suetonius , in the beginning of Nero's life writeth , though Plutarch mentioneth it not ) to evidence their Divinity , they changed his hair from Black to Red. And thence came the name of Aenobarbus , which continued to one of the greatest families in Rome .

216. — Sings the acts of Heroes ] Maturantius saith , it was a custom among the Greeks , to sing the actions of famous persons ; to the end , that others might be inflamed to a generous imitation of them . So Scipio was excited to great atchievements , by gazing on Statues , erected to the memory of renowed men . Musick was ever much honoured : Epaminondas , among other things was famous for it . Jacobus Crucins , in lib. Annot. relateth out of Polybius , that the Ardians generally instructed their youths in Musick , and saith , It was a custom among the Grecians , to sing the praises of their Genii , Heroes , and Gods . So Alexander ab Alexand o , l. 4. c. 17. saith , They were wont to sing the praises of their gods , while the sacrifice was in eating . And lib. 2. c. 25. having reckoned up many famous men that were excellent Musicians , he addeth that among the Greeks , Musici , Vates , and Sapientes were in equall estimation ; And that , after Supper , the Harp was wont to be played on ; Which when Themistocles refused to take in hand , he was for that very cause , held the lesse learned . He there also affirmeth , that the Ancienrs used to chant out the Encomiums of renowned persons . Thus our Poet setteth forth Achilles , to have been instructed by Chiron , and now to give his Mother the usuall entertainment after their Feast ; And Homer telleth us , that he oft practiced this art at the siege of Troy . Thus also , Dido entertaineth her guests , Aeneas , Virg. Aen. 1.

— Cithara crinitus Iopas Personat aurata , docuit quae maximus Atlas . Hic canit errantem Lunam , solisque labores ; Vnde hominum genus & pecudes , unde imber , & ignes : Arcturum , pluviásque Hyadas , geminósque Triones ; Quid tantum Oceano properent se tingere ●oles Hiberni , vel quae tardis mora noctibus obstet . — Hairy Iopas then begun , And on his Harp what Atlas taught he sung ; The Moon 's unconstant ways , and how the Sun Performs his course ; whence men and beasts first sprung ; The Bears , the Hyades , and Arcturus sings , The cause of showers , and why heav'n lightning flings ; Why to the waves the Sun should take his flight Sooner in Winter , and prolong the night .

219. The victories of Pollux . ] The weapon by which Pollux was victorious , was much used by the Antients , called Caesius ; whose description J. C. Scaliger thus giveth : At first , ( saith he ) the Greeks used to fight with naked sists . Pugnis addita lora ad munimentum , propterea quòd nudi cùm ferirent sape plus damni acciperent quàm facerent . Ea lora Graeco vocabulo CESTUS dicta ( 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 enim cinguluir . ) Brevia initio : mox , nè excussa exuerentur in ictibus , tum cubito tum humero alligabantur . Postremò ferrum plumbumque assutum est , saevissimo spectaculo . Cerebrum enim & gattur facillimè elidebant . Idcirco aurium munimenta induebant , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Thus he describeth the Castus to be a piece of a Leather , for the safeguard of the hand , which , when naked , received oftentimes more damage by a blow , than it gave . Lest this Caestus should be shaken off by striking , it was fastned , not to the arm onely , but also to the shoulder . At the end of it was sewed a mass of Iron or Lead , which rendred the combat a most cruell spectacle . Their very brains were oft dashed out ; for prevention whereof , they covered both their ears with defences . This character Fabricius also confirmeth , relating , that the form of this Caestus was to be seen in the house of Peter Bembus , when he lived at Padus . Fuerunt coria bubula , saith he , quibus plumbum ferrumque insutum est , articulis manûs in volam flexae circundata ; & , ut pondus sustinere ferientium manus valerent , brachi is alligata . And hence he believeth , the antient Germans took the use of the Gantlet , which they wore in war . The reason Fabricius giveth , why the Caestus were fastned to the arm , is , in my opinion , better then Scaliger's , That so the hand might be strengthned to bear the weight the better . This Fabricius writeth , on the Combat between Entellus and Dares , Aen. 5. This Exercise , as Scaliger saith , was at first onely used with bare fists , and prizes propounded for it in the Olympick Games , Thucyd lib. 1. The invention of Caestus is ascribed to Amycus , Clem. Alex. lib. 1. Strom 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Amycus the Bebrycian King first found out 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , lora pugilum , that is , the Caestus . Which very words , with others of Clemens , Eusebius useth , De praep . Evang. l. 10. c. 5. Hence Statius here , — crudo quo Bebryca caestu Obruerit Pollux . i. e. Amycus , so called from the place where he reigned , Bebrycia , which had its name from Bebryae , a King in the Pyrenaean Mountains , Sil. Ital. l. 3. Since , it was called Mygdonia ; after that , Bithynia , from Bithynius , a King there , Strabo l. 7. & . 12. Arianus giveth one of the daughters of Danaus this name , who , as well as her sister Hyperinnestra , spared her husband , contrary to her father's command , and flying with him into this Country , gave name to it ; till fresher merits destroyed the memory of hers . There is a Village called Bebryacum , by Suetonius , in Othone , and by Tacitus , Anual. 18. seated between Verona and Cremona . In the Lipswick Edition it is called Bedriacum , by Josephus 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , by Plutarch 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . But by reason of the authority of Tacitus and Orosius , Joseph Scaliger saith , Eanihil aliud sunt quám unum nomen multifariàm depravatum . At this place Otho was overcome by Vitollius ; & statim , saith Suetonius , moriendi impetum cepit . Yet then had he a reserved Army , competent enough to have attempted , in another Battle , the recovery of his Fortune ; but he chose rather to let that be the certain advantage of his friends , to procure peace from Vitellius , than by hazarding them to pull on all their ruines together . For which cause , Tacitus justly saith , Many enjoyed Empires longer , but none left them bravelier .

220. The monstrous Minotaur fam'd-Theseus slew . ] The Fable is thus ; The Adultery of Mars and Venus being discern'd by the Sun 's all seeing eye , and by him discovered to Vulcan , in a Net that he had made for the purpose , he caught the Lovers in their embraces . Hereat Venus being enraged , ever after pursued the race of Phoebus with revenge , infecting them with prodigious passions . The first that suffered was Pasiphae the wife of Minos ; she , being in love with a Bull , was by Daedalus his art inclosed in a Cow of wood , and so received the horrid satisfaction of her beastly Lover . And from that loathsome embrace came the Minotaur . By this Queen , Minos had three children , Androgeos , Ariadne , and Phaedra . Androgeos , after many noble Victories , was at last slain by the Athenians and Megarians . In revenge of his death , Minos having vanquished the Athenians at Sea , imposed on them this punishment , that seven Youths , and as many Virgins , should every year be delivered to be devoured by the Minotaur . But Eusebius , de praepar . Evang. l. 5. c. 19. layeth their death to Apollo's charge , whose Oracle directed the Athenians , to send the Youths to be killed by Minos , that the plague might be averted from them , which they suffered for the death of Androgeos . In the third year of this imposition , Theseus son of Aegeus was sent . He , no less powerfull in person then in forces , first obtained a conquest of the heart of Ariadne ; and then , by her procurement , having got a thread from Daedalus to guide him , he found the way to the Minotaur in the Labyrinth , and slew him ; and having so done , he fled away with Ariadne . Then Minos finding , or suspecting , that Daedalus , who made the Labyrinth , had assisted Theseus , enclosed both him and his son Icarus therein . But Daedalus procuring wax and feathers , with other materialls , from his Keepers , under pretence of presenting something rare to the King , made Wings , with which himself and his son slew away . But the rash Youth , contrary to his Father's instructions , soaring too high , melted his wings against the Sun , and fell into that Sea , which beareth his name , Ovid. de arte lib. 2. & Metam . lib. 8. The place his father alighted first upon , was Cumae ; Where , 〈◊〉 the gates of Apollo's Temple , he engraved this storie , omitting nothing but the rate of Icarus , Virg. Aen. 6.

— Tu quoque magnam Partem opere in tanto , sineret dolor , Icare , haberes . Bis conatus erat casus eDffingere in auro ; Bis patriae cecidere manus . Thou also , Icarus , hadst had a part In this , had grief giv'n freedom to his art . Twice he attempted thy hard fate to paint ; Twice thy concerned father's hand did faint .

Some hold , this Fable was invented to shadow a true storie , and hat Pasiphae being in love with Taurus , Captain of the Guard to Minos , lay with him in Daedalus's house ; and she bringing forth Twins , the mockery made up the Minotaur . The Fable was more lewdly presented by Nero : In relating whereof , Suetonius , as Beroaldus noteth , useth words , that seem to credit Beasts having copulation with Women ; against which we read a Law , Levit. 20. 16. which sheweth the probability of it . Besides , if it be possible , we need no farther proof than the unsatiable nature of some women . Nor would any doubt , that Messalina the lascivious Empresse would have scrupled at such an act , if her fancy had but directed her to it . Juvenal . Sat. 6.

— Claudius audi Quae tulerit . Dormire virum cùm senserat uxor , Ausa Palatino tegetem praeferre cubi i , Sumere nocturnos meretrix Augusta cucullos ; Linquebat comite ancilla non ampliùs una : Sed nigrum flavo crinem abscondente galero , Intravit calidum veteri centone lupanar , Et cellam vacuam , atque suam . tunc nuda papillis Prostitit auratis , titulum mentita Lyciscae , Ostenditque tuum , generose Britannice , ventrem . Excepit blanda intrantes , atque aera poposcit ▪ Mox lenone suas jam dimittente puellis , Tristis abit : sed , quod potuit , tamen ultima cellam Clausit , adhuc ardens rigidae tentigine vulvae , Et lassata viris , necdum satiata rec ssit . — For hear what Claudius doth endure : Whom whilst his wife believes in sleep secure , She did prefer before a Princely Bed The Bawdy-house's smoaky-coverlid . Th' Emperiall Whore disguis'd from being known , With Night and Scarfs goes with one Maid alone ; A yellow Periwig her swarthy hairs Conceals , and she to th' Bawdy-house repairs ; Which from the new-employed bed a fume Retains . Possessing the then emptied room She rich adorn'd with naked breasts appears . Lycisca's name the lying entrance bears . There , great Britannicus , thy belly 's shown . With a lascivious kindnesse every one She meets , and asks her hire . When all the Whores . The Bawd sends home , hers last of all the doors Was shut . She burning with unquenched fires , And toil'd with men , not satisfi'd , retires .

The Second BOOK .

The Argument . Thetis at last , though long delay'd by fears , Through the calm waves her dear Achilles bears . Love shews an object to enflame his eyes : The King receives him hid in a disguise . BUt Thetis , in the night leaving the caves , Stood where the Rocks sent Ecchoes from the waves . And in her unresolved phancy weigh'd , To what safe place her Son might be convey'd . She fears , where Mars was born , th' adjacent Thrace ; And dreads the warlike Macedonian race . Fam'd - Athens too her doubting phancies fear , With Sestos and Abydos , which appear Too aptly plac'd for ships . For those lov'd Seas She now resolves crown'd by the Cyclades . Nor Myconos , nor Seriphos pleas'd her mind , Delos , nor Lemnos unto men unkind . By Lycomedes Court , she lately stay'd , And heard the shores sound while the Virgins play'd . As she was sent to view Aegaeon's bands , Who strove to loose his hundred-fettered-hands . This Land , where quarrels no disturbance wrought , The much distracted Thetis safest thought : Like a poor Bird , with wavering phansies prest , That dares not choose a branch to build her nest . Lest it her brood , should unto storms , or snakes , Or men expose ; at length she likes and takes . So Thetis on the place resolv'd , prepares To go , but is assaulted with new cares ; Whether her son should in her breast be laid , Or through the waves born by a Triton's aid . Or to the winged winds , his waftage owe , Or unto Iris Ocean-nourish'd bow ; At last two Dolphines she was pleas'd to rain , Which by great Tethys , in th' Atlantick main , For her were bred . The vast unfathom'd flood , Bore nothing else in all its scaly brood , So swift , so kind to men ; At her command These staid in waves , least injur'd by the Land . The sleepy Youth , ( for youth may soundly sleep ) She from th' Aemonian cave , bears to the Deep . The waves and winds becalmed her designes Assist , and Cynthia in full lustre shines . For his return the Centaur following pray'd ; Of waves he knew , he need not be afraid . O're-flowing tears , fall from his gazing eyes , Whilst they upon the rouling billows rise Now almost out of sight ; yet still he gaz'd : And when with waves they sunk , himselfe he rais'd Upon his hinder parts , till the waves quite Had swallow'd all impressions of their flight . Him that to Thessaly must ne'er return , Sad Pholoe , and the clouded Othrys mourn : Sperchios streams , no more with joy swell high ; And Chirons den now wanteth harmony . The Fauns ament his losse ; the Nymphs begin To mourn their passion's hope , ravish'd with him . And now the Stars begin to take their flight , At the approach of Titan's radiant light . Which from the Ocean rose ; whose drops like dew , Back to its waves the rising Chariot threw . But Thetis long before , to Scyros came , And gave her Dolphines liberty again ; When sleep forsook refresh'd Aeacides : His eyes saluted by the light , and Seas . To him unknown , for Pelion all amaz'd He look'd , and on his doubted Mother gaz'd . Who takes him by the hand , with words thus kind , Dear child , if he that sure was once design'd , Had shar'd my marriage-bed , thou hadst been plac'd With Stars , for ever there by me embrac'd : Heav'n had been then thy due inheritance , Nor had I fear'd the lesser Yates or Chance . But now thy Father 's mortall , there can be No way for thee to scape death but by me ; And now the sad and fat all time draws near , Whose dangers are the cause of all myfear . Forget a while thy Sexe's honour then , Nor this safe habit which I wear contemn . If Hercules thus learnt to spin , and round A javeline bore with winding Ivy crown'd ; If Bacchus in these Ornaments was dress'd , And Jove himself , nor Ceneus mind depress'd Thereby ; then suffer thus at my desire , Th' appointed time Fate threatneth to exspire . Then I 'le restore thee to the Centaur's cave . By all the joyes and glory youth can have , I do conjure thee now . If I for thee Shar'd with a Mortall my Divinity ? If by the Stygian arming waves I stood , And dip'd ( I wish , all o're ) thee in the flood : Suffer thyselfe thus now to be conceal'd , The mind 's not hurt with what the body 's heal'd . Why dost thou frown , and turn away thy face ? Needst thou to blush ? Is gentlenesse disgrace ? By our known streams , I do assure thee too , Chiron , nor doth , nor shall know what we doo . His breast in vain she tries , where rougher seeds Were sown , and stories of his Father's deeds : Thus a proud horse , with vigorous blood inflam'd , And heat of youth , contemneth to be tam'd . But doth through fields , and unto rivers flie , O'rejoy'd with his affected liberty : He scorns to yield to the restraining Bitt , And wondreth at his fellows that submit . What God with craft inspir'd the Mother's mind , And unto softnesse her rough Son inclin'd ? By chance to Pallas , on the shore that day , The Syrians did their sacred offerings pay . Hither the King , with his fair daughters came , ( Though seldome seen ) unto the holy flame . The image of the rigid * * Pallas . Pow'r they crown'd With fragrant wreaths , her spear with garlands bound ; All wrondrous fair . Their youthfull blossoms grew , Now like ripe fruit , as fit for gathering too . But as the Sea-nymphs are by Venus looks Excell'd , by Cynthia's those of lesser brooks ; So from her Sisters , such lov'd victories Were challenged by bright Deidamia's eyes . Her rosy looks did vanquish'd Jewels shame , And on her purple garments threw a flame ; She might compare with Pallas , when she takes Her gentlest looks , and layes aside her snakes . At this fair Object , the fierce Youth remains Fix't like a Statue , and receiv'd Love's flames . Nor would th' insulting passion be conceal'd : His sparkling eyes the inward fire reveal'd . Like the Massagetans red liquor mixt With milk , or purple stains on ivory fixt ; Such mixture his new kindled passions bred : His cheeks now pale , but straight with blushing red . At length , not brooking to be so delay'd , Th' advancing Youth was by his Mother stay'd : Like a young Bull , to rule the herd design'd , His horns not yet with full perfection twin'd ; When Love first kindleth in his savage breast , Those ruder passions for some snowy beast ; He somes at mouth , whilest th' exspecting swains , Joy at the certain witnesse of his flames . His knowing Mother , finding the fit time , Was now , thus said ; Canst thou , dear Son , repine With this fair crue , to share unknown delights ? Can Pelion , or cold Ossa , shew such sights ? Oh that my cares were thine ! that thou would'st give A young Achilles in mine arms to live ! At this , with blushes gentler he remain'd : And though he yielded , yet she still constrain'd . A womans dresse , doth now the youth enclose , And his strong arms , he learns how to compose . His hair 's not now neglected as before : And on his neck , she hangs the chain she wore . Within rich robes , his steps confined now Move in a gentler pace ; and he 's taught how To speak with a reserved modesty , Thus changing Wax , which nimble fingers plie , First rendered soft by active heat , inclines Unto that form the workman's hand designes . So Thetis to another shape convey'd Her Son . Nor needed she to what she said , Have added more : For in his beauty too , All things appear'd , which to the sex were due . Yet as they went along , she still renews Her words , and her instructions thus pursues ; Dear Child , in gentle looks compose thy face , And imitate each motion , and each grace . Thou seest these beauties wear , or else I fear , Unto the King our cous'nage , may appear . This said , still as they go some Ornament Her busie fingers mend . Thus Cynthia went From hunting with her Mother ; toil'd with sport , And with her quiver , to her Father's Court ; Her arms now hid , her garments losely flow'd , And in a better form her hair bestow'd . Then to the King , her Son the goddesse brings , And thus , the Altars witnessing , begins . Receive Achilles Sister , as thy guest , Are not her Brothers looks in hers express'd ? She in her quiver , and her bow delights , And , like the Amazons , scorns marriage-rites . Achilles is enough to be enjoy'd By me : Let this in these rites be employ'd . Let thy best care of her allay my fears , Errors are incident to tender years . Let her not rove the woods , nor Gymnick game Frequent , lest with her cloathes she put off shame . Let her still live with this fair company , Nor ever let thy shores unguarded lie . Thou saw'st the Trojans lately , without cause , Did violate the world 's observed Laws . This said , the unknown Youth the King receives , ( Who finds out fraud when 't is a God deceives ? ) And further , rendreth all his thanks as just To her , who thought him worthy such a trust . The pious troup , with fixed eyes amaz'd Upon his beauty , and proportion gaz'd So much excelling others , then invites Their company unto their sacred rites . So the Idalian birds , that nimbly flye Through yielding air , in a known company . If to the flock , a stranger joyn his wings , He with himself an admiration brings : At last acquainted all with joy , receave The stranger , and the aire together cleave . The lingring Mother , still yet loth to part , Now takes her leave , repeating all the art She taught before , and what she more could tell , And with her whispered wishes bids Farewell ; Then takes the waves : her looks still backward bends , And to the shore , these gentle wishes sends . Dear earth , which hold'st my dearest joy , to thee Committed with a fearfull subtilty ; Be ever happy and in silence just To me , as Creet to Rhea in her trust : Long may thy glories last , and may thy name Grow greater then the wandring Delos fame : Lesse hurt by storms , then all the Cyclades , That break the billows of th' Aegean seas . Let thy name be the Sailer's sacred vow : Yet to thy shores no Grecian ships allow . Tell Fame , with thee no warlike spears are found , But headlesse ones with Ivy-garlands Crown'd . Whilst Mars , the parted Worlds , such rage doth give , Here let Achilles like a Virgin live .

ANNOTATIONS on the II Book of STATIUS his ACHILLEIS .

5. THrace . ] Thetis considering with her self , whither she might with most safety convey her Son , in the first place feared Thrace , conceiving that it would be an hastening of his destiny , to commit him to that warlick people ; Whose Country received its name from the son of Mars ; or , as Stephanus saith , à regionis asperitate , quam 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Graeci appellant . So Pomponius witnesseth , that this Region is obliged neither by aire nor soil , especially near the Sea . The roughnesse of the place wrought a like disposition in the Inhabitants : And hence haply it is said , that Mars was here nourished . It is confined on the West by Macedonia , and the River Nessus , as Ptolomy ; but by Strymon , as Plinie saith . See Thucydides , lib. 2.

6. The Warlick Macedonian race . ] Macedonia bordereth on Thrace , Epirus ▪ Illyris , and Thessalie ; so called from Macedo , son of Osiris , or ( as Stephanus and Solinus ) of Jupiter and Thyria , daughter of Deucalion . Thucydides , lib. 2. praiseth them for an hardy and warlick people : But Statius had more reason to give them that character , as living after Alexander the Great 's time , whose Victories were that Nation 's greatest glorie . In their Militia , the Phalanx had the pre-eminence . This Nero imitated , Sueton. Nerone , ubi vide Casaubonum . This steady Band consisted all of tall and able Souldiers , six foot high , or thereabouts , and 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , as Suidas saith , of equall age . The like policy the Turk useth in the choice of his Janizaries , and with no lesse successe .

7. Athens . ] This place also the goddesse held not safe to trust Achilles in , by reason perhaps of the great confluence of strangers thither , it being the most famous City in all Greece , scated in Attica , about forty furlongs from the Sea , as Strabo , lib. 9. Thucydides , lib. 2 saith , It was at its greatest height in the time of Pericles . It was the Mother of many Philosophers , and Orators , and Poets , and ( as Tullie styleth it ) the Mistresse of all human Sciences . But in the time of Synesius , it retained no such excellency , Epist. 135. It was called Cecropia , from Cecrops who first built it , and reigned in it ; afterwards Mopsopia , from Mopsus ; lastly , Athens , from Minerva , whom the Greeks call 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , quasi 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , because she never sucked the breast , nor had need to do it ; at her first springing from Jove's brain , being not an Infant , but a mature Virago , of full stature and strength . To this derivation , Cael. Rhodiginus assenteth , lib. 14. c. 18. Macrobius , Saturnal . l. 1. c. 17. saith , It was the opinion of Porphyrie , that Minerva was the vertue of the Sun , which infuseth prudence into the minds of men . For therefore is this goddesse said to have issued from the head of Jupiter ; that is , Wisdom commeth from the highest part of Heaven , whence the Sun hath its Originall . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 also , which signifyeth not-●ffeminate , or manly , doth not onely come near to the name , but also agreeth with the nature of this goddesse , who was still pictured in a warlick posture , with an Helmet , a Spear , and a Shield , and said to have a great stroke in all actions of War , which ever depend upon Wisdom . This was the chief plea that Vlysses used against Ajax , when they strove for Achilles's Armour , That Ajax his valour had been useless , without Vlysses's policy to direct it , Ovid. Metam . lib. 13.

11. Myconos . ] One of the Cyclades , under which the Poets feign those Giants to have been buried , that were slain by Hercules . The Inhabitants are said to have been so subject to baldnesse , that a bald man was wont proverbially to be called a Myconian : Plin. l. 11. c. 37.

¶ Seriphos . ] The Poet giveth it the epithet humilis , haply by reason of its small compasse , which is but twelve miles , as Plinie saith . So Juvenal , — parvâque Seripho , Sat. 10. The whole world , he saith , was not wide enough for the young man of Pella , ( so he calleth Alexander the Great ) but when he had it all to turn him in he found himself pittifully straitned for want of room , like one cooped up in little Seriphos . The people of this Isle Perseus transformed into stones , by shewing them his Gorgon's head , to revenge his forced mother . Yet long before , Acrisius having thrown his mother Danae and him into the Sea , they were cast upon this Island , and taken up by a fisher-man , and here preserved .

12. Delos . ] This was placed in the middle of the Cyclades , and most famous of them all , by reason of Apollo's Oracle there , consulted from most parts of the world . The Fable of its first becomming firm land , see in Plinie , lib. 4. c. 12. Strabo , lib. 10. and Servius , in Virg. Aen. 3. who relate , that it first appeared to receive the burden of Latona , who was here delivered of Apollo and Diana ▪ It hath its name from 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , manifestus , perspicuus , Macrob. Saturnal . l. 1. c. 17. being said to have risen up on a sudden above the waves . Some think it worthy of this name from its Oracles ; I wonder why , for they were seldome manifest . But Servius , and Alexander ab Alex. l. 6. c. 2. say , The Oracle here was clear , when all others were obscure . After this Island had appeared , it continued for some time loose , and floated up and down , untill at last it was fixed by Diana . Seneca Agamemnone act . 2. Chor. — Tu maternam Sistere Delon , Lucina , jubes Hue atque illuc priùs errantem Cyclada ventis . Nunc jam stabilis Fixa terras radice tenet . Thou didst thy mother's Delos bind , Wandring before , drove by the wind Among the Cyclades : Now it stands Fix'd to the earth with rooted bands . Servius in Aen. 3. saith , The truth is , that Delos being shaken by a constant Earth-quake , the Inhabitants petitioning Apollo that they might be freed from it , were enjoyned thence-forward to bury none in the Island . And Alexander ab Alex. lib. 6. c. 2. writeth , That all such as were near dying , and all women ready to be delivered , were carried over to the Island Rhene . Thucydides lib. 3. saith , That when Delos was totally hallowed by the Athenians , ( Pisistratus the Tyrant having before hallowed as much as was within the prospect of the Temple ) they took away all the Sepulchers , and made an Edict , That none should either be born or buried there for the future ; but when any were near the time for either , they should be removed into Rhene . In the dispute between Pausanias and the Athenians , about Title to this Island , the Athenians alledging this Edict of theirs , Pausanias wittily demanded , How it could be their Island , seeing none of them had either been born or buried in it , Plutarch in Apophth . Rhene is so near to it , that when it was won by Polycrates , he dedicated it to Apollo , and tied it to Delos with a chain . Divers Games were here celebrated , as Thucydides affirmeth , and Homer , Hymno in Apollinem ; who ending their praises , thus also leaveth his own , vers. 165.

〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ; 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Let Phoebus and Diana's kindnesse dwell Still here : And now to every one Farewel . But yet remember when I leave this land , And among all some pilgrim shall demand , Who was 't , O Virgins , that with harmony Could most affect your charmed ears ? Reply With one consent , and thus my praises tell , A Poet blind , in Chios who doth dwell .

Lemnos unto men unkind . ] This is an Island in the Aegean Sea , called Ardens by Seneca , Herc. Oet . v. 1362. It is described by Valerius Flaccus , Argonaut . lib. 2. Here Cicero , de natura deprum , placeth Vulcan's Forge . Statius , Thebaidos l. 5.

— Aegeo premitur circumstua Nereo Lemnos , ubi ignisera fessus respirat ab Aetna Mulciber . To Lemnos in th' Aegean waves retires The wearied Mulciber from Aetna's fires .

Here Vulcan was bred , and had in great veneration . In his injuries the Inhabitants held themselves so concerned , that they hated Venus for her adultery with Mars , Alexand ▪ ab Alex. l. 2. c. 14. Wherear the goddesse being exasperated , infused such hatred into the women against their husbands , that they took counsell to slay them all at their return from the Thracian War ; and did so to all , except Hypsipyle , who saved her father Thoas . The story we have in Statius , Theb. lib. 5.

15. Aegaeons bands . ] Aegaeon the son of Heaven and Earth , ( Hesiod . in Theogon ) was called by Thetis to assist Jupiter , when Pallas , Juno , and Neptune would have fetter'd him , Lucian . dial . Martis & Mercurii : But afterwards waxing insolent , ( as most are wont to do after great merits ) was himself fetter'd by Jupiter to the Rocks of the Aegean Sea . And now Neptune having given notice , that he was endeavouring to unloose his hundred hands , Jupiter sent Thetis to view his chains . She passing by Scyros , and seeing King Lycomedes his daughters at their innocent recreations , and the Island filled with effeminate Inhabitants , thought presently no place could be more fit for her son's concealment , and resolved thither to bring him . This Giant was named Briareus by the gods , Aegaeon by men , Homer . Iliad . ● . v. 403. by Lucian 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Briareum centimanum ; and therefore was he bound with an hundred chains , as our Poet here saith . By Virgil he is placed in hell by Chimaera , Aen 6. The rest of the Giants also are fixed in their severall places by the Poets , as Otus in Creet , Typhoeus in Campania , Enceladus in Sicily , whose burning Tomb is made famous by Claudian's Muse , de raptu Proserp . l. 1.

Enceladi bustum , qui saucia membra revinctus Spirat inexhaustum flagranti pectore sulfur : Et quoties detrectatonus cervice rebelli In dextrum laevumque latus , tunc Insula fundo Vellitur , & dubiae nutant cum moenibus urbes . Vast-limb'd Enceladus here buried lies , From whose hot breast unwasted sulfur flies . As often as o're-laden with his burd'n , To ease his wearied side he strives to turn , The motion makes the heaved Island quake , And with their walls the tottering Cities shake .

28. Iris Ocean-nourish'd Bow . ] Iris 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 nuncio , because the Rainbowe telleth of rain either past or to come , Magir. lib. 4. cap. 5. Our Poet calleth her Thaumantida . In Greek she is called 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . And there is no Meteor so worthy of wonder . It s many colours are caused by the reflection of the Sun-beams on a watry-clowd . Aristot . Meteorol . lib. 3. Iris ●st arcus multicolor in nube roride , opaca , & concava , ex radiorum Solis oppositi reflexione apparens . Virgil. Aen. 4.

Ergo Ir's croce is per coelum roscida pennis , Mille trahens varios adverso Sole colores . Swift Iris therefore with her dewy wings , On which the Sun a thousand colours flings .

The difference of its colours ariseth onely from the unequall parts of the clowds . According to Aristotle they are three , Funiceus , Viridis , Caruleus . Others make them five , as Ammianus Marcellinus , who calleth the first Luteam speciem , a palish Yellow ; the second , nearer a Tawny ; the third , Red ; the fourth , Purple ; the last , a mixture of Blew and Green . But it is a strange error in Philosophers , to define the colours of the Rain-bowe , and they almost all differ about them . Yet are the colours they quarrell about not reall , but apparent onely ; as the skie seemeth blew , which without doubt is not blew indeed . Nor is it possible , at so great a distance , to describe colours certainly . All that can be said , is , That they appear such to the eye . Marcellinus , lib. 20. taketh occasion , from the appearing of a Rain-bow , while Constantius besieged Amida , to treat of the reasons of the Rain-bowe , and why the Poets feigned , that Iris was so oft sent from heaven , Indicium est , saith he , permutationis aurae , à sudo aere nubium concitans globos , aut contrà ex concreto immutans in serenans laetitiam coelum . Ideo apud Poet● ▪ legimus saepe , Irim de coelo mitti , cùm praesentium rerum fit statûs mutario . That is , It is a signe of alteration of weather , gathering clowds in clear skies ; or , on the contrary , changing thicknesse into serenity . Therefore we often read in the Poets of Iris being sent from heaven , when there was any alteration made of the present state of affairs . Of this fancy of the Poets , see Gyraldi Syntagm . 9. For the Philosophie , experience contradicteth it . And Plinie saith , Nec pluvias nec serenos dies cum fide ab Iride portehdi . They held , the Rain-bowe was nourish'd by the Ocean , by reason of both the Sun 's and the Clowds arising from thence . Scaliger , Exercit. 10. Sect. 11. speaketh of a Rainbowe that appeared in the night-time , and was seen by Albertus and many others . And Vi●eilio , in his answer to the E. of Mirandula , concerning the possibility of a Rain-bow's seeming entirely circular , though not being so , affirmeth , that he saw four such at once in Padua .

33. So swift , so kind to men ] Plinie saith , Dolphins are the swiftest of all fish , and a morous . Agellius , lib. 7. c. 8. relateth a story of a Dolphin ▪ that loved a Boy so passionately , that his life was tied to the Boy 's life . The same Author , lib. 16. c. 19 out of Herodotus , setteth down the story of Arion's being carried by a Dolphine , charmed by his Musick , Virg. Ecl. 8. Orpheus in silvis , inter Delphinus Arion . The story is also related by Plutarch in Symp. but most sweetly by the sweetest of all the Poets , Fast. lib. 2. who thus describeth Arion , when the covetous Mariners threatned him with drawn swords .

Ille metu pavidus , Mortem non deprecor inquit ; Sed liceat sumta pauca referre lyra . Dant veniam , ridentque moram . Capit ille coronam , Quae possit crines , Phoebe , decere tuos . Induerat Tyrio distinctam murice pallam . Reddidit ict a suos pollice chorda sonos . Flebilibus numeris veluti , canentia dura Trajectus penna tempora , cantat olor . Protinus in medios ornatus defilit undas . Spargitur impulsa caerula puppis aqua . Inde ( fide majus ! ) tergo Delphina recurvo Se memorant oneri supposuisse novo . Ille sedet , citharamque tenet , pretiumque vehendi Cantat , & aequoreas carmine mulcet aquas . He frighted , cries ; I ask but that you 'd give Me leave to touch my Harp , not leave to live . They grant it , smiling at his fond delay , Whilst he assumes a Crown , which , Phoebus , may Become thy locks , and on his shoulders bound A purple Robe . The stricken strings then sound . The dying Swan so , when his fate begins Near to approach , in mournfull numbers sings . And so adorn'd , he leapt into the flood : On the ship's sides the dash'd up waters stood ▪ When straight his crooked back a Dolphin show'd , And plac'd it under the unusuall load ▪ He sits , holding his Harp , and whilst he plaies , The Sea growes calm , and for his portage payes .

48. Otbrys . ] A Mountain bounding Thessalie on the South , Herodot ▪ l. 7. It hath on the West-side Phthiotis , Strab. lib. 9.

51. The Fawns lament his losse . ] These were Silvane gods , whose Chief was Pay , lascivious like all his followers , who were held strangely amorous of men and women . The Chorus in Seneca , Hippol . act 2 believe it impossible , that Hippolytus living in the woods , should escape being sollicited by them :

— Te nemore abditum , Cum Titan medium constituit diem , Cinget turba lice●s , Naiades improbae Formosos solitae claudere fontibus : Et somnis facient insidias tuis Lascivae nemo rem deae , Montivagique Panes . For whilst in shades you bide , and day 's Divided by the god of Rayes , The Naiades thy beauty moves , Who in their fountains shut their Loves : And the lascivious gods that keep In woods , will court thee in thy sleep .

The question , Whether Spirits affect carnall copulation , hath been disputed by many : I shall onely relate these few opinions . Plutarch de Oraculor . defect . saith , that fury attendeth their unsatiated last Paracelsus relateth stories of some ; who have been married to mortall men . Cardane , de Subtilit . & variet . rerum . saith , They are as apt as dogs to be familiar with men . Plato was believed to have been begotten on a Virgin by the phantasm of Apollo , by reason of his admirable wisdom . Cardane , de var. & subt rer . lib. 16. c. 43. speaketh of some , who had had familiar company with Spirits for many years . And Agrippa , de occulta Philos. lib. 3. cap. 24. saith , Sunt adhu●●o●ie qui commercium & conjugalem commixtionem habent cum Daemonibus . Burton in his MELANCHOLY relateth a story of Menippus Lucius , That between Cenchrea and Corinth he met a Spirit , in the habit of a fair Gentlewoman ; and , deceived by her allurements , married her . To the Wedding , among other guests , came Apollonius , who by conjectures found her to be a Spirit . When she saw her self discovered , she begged of Apollonius to be silent : But he refusing , she vanished with all her house and furniture . Sabinus , in Ovid ▪ Metam . lib. 10. hath the like story . Florilegus , ad Ann. 1●58 . telleth of a young Gentleman of Rome , who , the same day he was married , going to play at Tennis , put his ring on the finger of the image of Venus ; and returning to take off his ring , Venus had bent-in her finger so that he could not get it off . Whereupon loath to make his company stay , he left it , intending the next day to use some other means for it . Night being come , and going to bed to his Bride , Venus interposed between , telling him , He had betrothed himself to her by the ring he put upon her finger ; and thus troubled him for many nights , till by the advice of Palumbus a Magician , he was released from his unwelcome Lover . Lavater , de spectr . part. 1. cap. 19. telleth this story , I have heard , saith he , a grave and a wise man , in the Territory of Tigure , who affirmed , that as he and his servant went through the pastures in the summer time , very early , he espied one ( as he thought ) whom he knew very well , wickedly committing lewdnesse with a Mare . At which being amazed , he returned back again , and knocked at his house whom he supposed he had seen . There he certainly understood , that the man had not been that morning from his chamber . Vpon which , discreetly searching into the businesse , he saved the man , who else had suffered for the deluding Damon . Corn. Agrip. de ocult . Philos. l. 3. c. 19. citeth a passage in St. Augustine , that Spirits are subject to these lusts . And Mr. Burton quoteth Pererius in Gen. lib. 8. c. 6. v. 1. who affi meth , that these Genii can beget , and have carnall copulation with women . In that fair Temple of Belus , as Herodotus saith , there was a Chappell , in which was splendidè stratus lectus , & apposita ●ens● aurea . Into this adorned bed none came , but the woman whom the god made choice of , as the Chaldean Priests told him ; and their god lay with her himself . Of this opinion is Lactantius . And Lipsius relateth proofs thereof in his daies , in the City of Lovain . Further discourse on this point I shall reserve for a place more worthy of it .

75. If Hercules thus learn'd to spin . ] The● is being come to the Island where she intended to place her son , letteth him know , that for his safety , she would put him into woman's habit . And knowing that the greatnesse of his spirit would scorn such a disguise , she sertteth Hercules before him , who at the command of Omphale in such a dresse sat spinning , Seneca Hippolyto , act. 1.

Natus Al●mtna posuit pharetram , Et minax vasti spolium Leonis , Passus aptari digiti● smaragdos , Et dari legem rudibus capillis . Crura distincto religavit auro , Luteo p'ant●● cohibente socco : Et manu , clavam modo quâ gerebat , Fr●d deduxit properante fuso . Vidit Perses , ditisque s●r●x Lydia regni , dejecta seri Terga Leonis , bumerisqu● , quibus Sederat alti regia coeli , Tenuem Tyrio stamine pallam . Vid. Herc. Furent . v. 465. & Herc. Oct. v. 372. Great Hercules once threw away His Quiver and the Lion's prey : His fingers he adorns with rings , And his rude hair in order brings : His legs with gold embraced round , His feet with yellow buskins bound : That hand , which so well arm'd had been With his great Club , now learns to spin ; By Persians and rich Lydians scorn'd , Not with his Lion's skin adorn'd . Those shoulders on which Heav'n should rest Were in a woman's habit drest .

77. If Bacchus ] Bacchus also disguised himself in a Virgin 's habit , for fear of his mother-in-law Juno , Senec. Oedip. v. 417. Mythologers understand this of the effects of Wine , which sometimes rendreth men esteminate , and otherwhile giveth courage to the most womanish mind : And therefore was Bacchus said to be of both sexes . Origen lib. 3. contra Celsum saith , that Bacchus was thought sometimes to have worn a woman's habit . Eusebius , de Pr●p . Evang. l. 3 c. 9. giveth this reason , why a woman's form ( and therefore habit ) was ascribed to Bacchus , ●t vim illam quae plantarum fructibus i●est ex mascula foemineaque conflatam significet ; To signifie , that the strength was of both kinds by which fruits were produced .

78. And Jove himself . ] The story is commonly known : Jupiter going to visit the world , injur'd by Phaeton's Lightning , employed his first care on Arcadia ; where his eyes told his heart such wonders of Colisto's beauty , that he counterfeited the shape and dresse of Dianae , ( Quis Divûm fraudibus obstet ? ) and so enjoyed the deceived Calisto , 〈◊〉 . Metamorph. lib. 2.

● Coeneus ] Who being ravished by Neptune , and having the grant of Fish for her recompence , desired to alter her sex , that she might ●●r suffer such a misfortune more . Unto this the too kind god added her beeing invulnerable . Yet in the battell of the Centaurs , and the Lapithae , she was pressed to death : So impossible it is for power , any way applied in this world , to alter destiny . Nor do our fond attempts give occasion to Him above , to appoint new accidents : It is He , that permits those fond attempts , and letteth them be the means of those accidents , which we would most avoid . The fable sometimes goeth , that she had power to change her sex . Otherwise the sense remaineth not perfect . In the other World , Virgil sheweth her in her first sex , Aen. 6. v. 448.

— Et juvenis quondam , nunc foemina , Coeneus , Rursus & in veterem fato revoluta figuram . And Coeneus once a Youth , but now a Maid , By fate into her former sex convey'd .

85. If by the Stygian arming waves . ] Thetis to prevent the mortality of Achilles , which he had received from his Father , dipped him in the Stygian flood , all but the heel , which she held by ; In which mortall part , he was shot by Paris . By this River , the gods took their inviolable Oaths , Virg. Aen. 6. Seneca , Thyest . v. 667. giveth it this Character , Deformis unda , quae facit caelo fidem . And Homer , Odyss . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . — 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . The greatest Oath among the blessed Gods .

The fable is , that Victoria the daughter of Styx , assisted Jupiter in his War against the Giants ; For which service , he gave this honour to her Mother , that the gods should swear by her , and inviolably keep their Oath , or else be banished from the banquets of the gods . This affordeth some illustration to verse 213. Where Thetis wishing honour to the Island Scyros , saith ,

Let thy name be the Seamans sacred vow .

The Viscount , St. Albanes , Sapient . Vet. applieth this to the Leagues and Covenants of Princes , which by reason of interest , are preciselier observed , than more sacred ones . Natalis Comes , Mytholog. l. 3. c. 2. saith , that Styx discovered the conspiracy of the gods , and that therefore , perhaps Jove made that Water their obliging Oath . Aristotle , Metaphys. l. 1. c. 3. conceiveth , that the Poets by this fiction , intended to signifie , that water is the original of all things . So Thales Milesius said , that , water is initium rerum ; Deum autem , eam Meutem quae , ex aqua cuncta fingeret , as Cicero saith , De nat. Deox . lib. 1. according to that of Moses , Gen. 1. 2. So the god's Oath seemeth to have been by the first beginning of things . Other reasons may be seen in Cal. Rhodiginus , lib. 27. c. 5. Of this opinion , Plutarch sheweth Homer to be , lib. De Homero , where he citeth Thales for it ; and , after them , Xenophanes . The reasons of whose conjecture , Eusebius giveth , De praepar . Evang. lib. 14. c. 14. Servius in Aen. 6. saith , Acheron hath its name , qua●● 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , sine gaudio : From whence , Styx cometh ; from Styx , Cocytus . Whose Etymologies he thus bringeth along ; They , who want Joy , have Sadnesse , which is neighbour to Grief , the production of Death . The Poets feigned these Rivers to be unpleasant : So must Death needs be to those , who placing their joyes in this World , part with both together . By Victory , daughter of Styx , may be intimated the power of Death , who assisted Jupiter ; in that the Gyants were mortall : shewing the vastnesse of their crimes , which make the true War with God , and want but eternity for themselves , to make their crimes perpetuall . All this signifieth but the series of Life and Death , not more of sorrow belonging to our ends , then to our beginnings . Man is born unto Sorrow , saith Eliphaz , Job 5. 7. And according to this sense , Plutarch speaketh , whose words I have taken the liberty , to dresse in verse ;

Sicut qui argillam tractat , fingere Ex ea animalis formam potest , Rursúmque diffingere , iterúmque ae Quoties libet perpetuò vices istasrepetere : Sic etiam Natura ex eadem materia Olim avos nosiros , postea patres pro - tulit , deinde nos , ac deinceps a - lios ex aliis evolvet . Ac fluvius Ille ortûs nostri absque intermis - sione labens nunquam subsistet ; Sicut & interitûs flumen hujus Contrarium , five is Acheron est . Prima ergo Causa , quae nobis Solis offendit Jubar , eadem ad caligniosum Orcum adducit . As one that chafes the pliant clay , may bring The substance to the form of any thing ; Again , destroy the species , and by skill Repeat the same as often as he will : So nature also at the first , from clay Our Ancestors did to the World convay , Our fathers next ; to them do we succeed , Others to us ; and they shall others breed . This flood of Life , flows at a constant rate , Consuming still , as do the streams of Fate . This flood 's Cocytus , or else Acheron , Which stream the Poets set those names upon . Thus the first cause , which shews us the Sun-light , Restores us back unto Eternall night .

120. Receiv'd Love's flames . ] Those thoughts of glory , that would not suffer Achilles to consent to his kind Mother's advice , yield to Love's power , by which all the World is fettered . Which matter is excellently expressed by Seneca , Hippolyt . act . 1. Chor. The greatnesse of which power , joyned to the swiftnesse of its execution , made the Antients believe , it was a fascination ; So Dido , at the first sight of Aeneas , received a passion as durable as her life , since she could find no way but one , to end both . The amorous Sappho , having expressed all the symptoms of a powerfull passion , exspecteth the same fate .

— Velut herba pallent Ora : spirandi neque compos , Orco Proxima credor . My lips grow pale , and my disordered breath Is spent in sighs : sure , the next thing is death .

Ex interpretatione Henrici Stephani . According to these examples , there is reason enough to believe Claudians amorous begger ;

Paupertas me saeva domat , dir●sque Cupido : Sed toleranda fames , non tolerandus amor . In Loves and Fortunes fetters I remain : One may endure the hunger , not the flame .

Aelian , Variae hist. lib. 12. c. 58 relateth the story of Dioxippus , the famous Wrestlet of Athens ; Who coming into the City , as the manner was , after those exercises , fell in Love with a Maid , ( like Achilles here ) at the first sight , as he passed along .

123. Massagetans . ] A people of Scythia , inhabiting Caucasus , who used to break such in pieces , as died of old age , and to throw such to Wild beasts , as died of diseases , Strabe . lib 2. They worshipped the Sun chiefly ; to whom they offered an Horse . When they travelled through a wildernesse , they were wont to drink Horses blood mingled with milk . So Claudian ,

Et qui cornipedes in pocula vulaer●t audax Massagetes .

170. Altars witnessing . ] It was an observed custom , when any thing of consequence was to be said , or petitioned for , to do it before the Altars of the gods . So when Iarbas heard of Dido's passion for Aeneas , Aen. 4.

Isque amens animi , & rumore acceusus amaro , Dicitur an●e●aras , media inter numina Divûm , &c. Enrag'd ( 't is said ) at this unwelcome fame , Among the Altars of his Gods he came .

This he did , that he might perform that usuall ceremony of holding the Altars ; as a little below , Talibus orantem dictis , ●rásque tenentem . And the same Prince of Poets , Aen. 12. Tango ●ras , medios ignes acnumina testor .

And Macrobius , Saturnal . lib. 3. c. 2. saith , that Jupiter heard him , non quia orabat tantùm , sed quia & aras tenebat . And he citeth Vario , Divin . lib. 5. who saith , Aras primùm dictas , quòdesset necessarium à sacrificantibus eas teneri . Ansis autem solere teneri vasa , quis duhitet ? Alexander a● Alexandro . lib 2. c. 18. saith , It was a custom for those that were piously praying to the gods , to embrace their knees , i. e. the knees of their Statues . And this certainly , is the onely meaning of that in Juvenal , 8 a● . 10. 55. — genua incerare Deorum . But because incero signifieth to cover with wax , some hold , that they waxed-on their Petitions on the knees of their Statues . Turnebus lib. 1. cap. 17. saith , That they held the Statues with such assiduous fervency , ut sudore incrassarentur , & videretur illis quasi cera superposita . Were it possible this place should still remain unperfect , after its having passed through so many learned hands , I should guesse the word insuccare , to make moist , more apt to the sense , especially to the interpretation of the most learned Turnebus .

159. Nor Gymnick game . ] Gymnad●s , from 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Exerceo ; or rather from 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Nu●o . For they which exercised these Games were all naked . These were invented by Lycaon of Arcadia . And the Spartan Virgins used to practise all manly exercises naked . Alexand. ab Alex. lib. 2. c. 25.

208. As Creet to Rhea . ] Thetis having now taken leave of her disguised son , and being entred the waves , turneth her eyes towards the Island , and beggeth of it to perform its trust as justly , as Creet had done to Rhea : Who , when her husband Saturn intended to murder all his children , being told that he should have one , who would depose him from his throne , hid her son Jupiter in Dicte , a Mountain of Creet , where the Corybantes her Priests , with their sounding Brasse , drowned the noise of the child's crying , Natalis Comes . lib. 2. c. 1. Saturn was a great devourer of children , for to him the Carthagenians offered their sons , Plato in Minoe . By Saturn was understood Time ; by Jupiter , Heaven , which is not subject to the power of Time : And therefore was it said , that Jupiter was not devoured by Saturn . Gaffard in his Curiosities , part. 3. chap 11. sect 8. saith , The antient Hebrews stood in much dread of the malignancy of the Planet Saturn . And the Chaldeans , who gave themselves over to the worshipping of false gods , observing this Star to be hurtfull , thought good by some sacrifice to render it more propitious to them . And no sacrifice being fitter than that on which it wrought its sad effects , they began to sacrifice children to it under the name of Moloch . And this , he believeth , was the originall of the Fable , why Saturn was said to devour his children . And the Priests were said to have made a noise with their brasse , to drown young Jupiter's crie , from the custom which they had to make such noises when the children passed through the fire to Moloch ; which was no other then some particular Daemon-rite . For MOLOCH signifieth as much as BAAL . So we read , Psal. 106. 37. Mactârunt 〈◊〉 s●●s & filias daemonii● , as Mr. Selden rendreth it , De Dî● Syris , cap. de MOLOCH ; to whom , and Saturn , children were the usuall sacrifices , as he there sheweth .

The Third BOOK .

The Argument . An Oath obligeth the revengefull Greeks , At Aulis took . The sly Ulysses seeks The wish'd Achilles ; who , disguis'd , doth move Unto the Conquest of his Mistresse Love . IN the mean while , the fatall love of Arms Stirrs the fierce Greeks . The Princes give th' alarms , Soliciting revenge . The Ilians crime They thus enlarge ; that in a quiet time , No wars , the * [ Helen daughter of great Jove by them Was injur'd , with the Laws of god and men . How shall the common people fare , if thus They venture first their injuries on us ? Thus all prepar'd for war ; not alone * * The Inhabitants of Peloponnesus . those Whom the two Oceans do almost enclose , Or round Malea dwell , but also those Who do inhabit where * The Hellespont . Propontis flows . Europe from Asia parting , and again Those where the waves spread in a larger Main . The wretched love of war warm'd every breast . Fam'd Temesa gave Brass ; rigg'd Navies press'd The waves of the Euboean shores ; and in Mycoena , strokes of hammer'd Armor ring . Her Chariots Pisa sends for warlick use , Nemaean-shades the skins of Beasts produce . Cyrrha the Quiver fills ; and for the Shields Lerna gives Hides : the bold Acarnan yields Bodies of Foot ▪ so doth th' Aetolian ; Horse , In Troops from Argos sent , compleat the force , Fetch'd from Arcadia's fair now-emptied plains . For war her famous breed Epirus trains . Aonian Woods and Phocis Arrows lend : Their Engines Pilos and Messana send . No place left free . They Arms from Pillars tore , There by their Ancestors hung long before . The gifts to gods the melting flames devour , Alter'd to serve a far severer Pow'r . No antient shades on th' hills must longer grow : Taygetus now and Othrys naked show . Great Oaks for Ships , lesse Trees for Oars they trim : Whole Woods do now on the vast Ocean swim . Iron by skilfull workmen is design'd For various use ; the beaks of Ships to bind . For Armor , and for Bridles , and for Nails On arming-coats , set like to fishes scales ; For Swords , for Darts , which , dipp'd in poison , throw Death in the wounds they give . The whetstones grow With sharpned weapons thin . Some pieces bring In forms for Bowes , some Bullets for the Sling Prepare , some harden Stakes , some places gave To Helmets where th' advanced Plumes should wave . Among these tumults Thessalie remains Alone unactive , and alike complains That Peleus was too old , his son too young . All-emptied Greece , now mad with fury , throng To Ships , the crowded shores do seem to glow , And sensible of heat the billows show : The justled waves seem to present a storm ; The Ships that raise it on the swellings born . Under their weight the Ocean almost fails , And all the winds scarce serve to fill their sails . At first the waves by rocky Aulis bore The swarming Greeks , the much affected shore Of Cynthia . There loud Proteus Caphareus shows His head , and back to th' waves , their clamors throws . When all these swarms of sails came to his sight , Thrice he presag'd a sad prodigious night . Here first Troy's fatall foes-united are , And all by Oath oblige themselves for war , Untill the Sun had pass'd one annuall course , And Greece appear'd in her united force . Into a formed Army they compose Their diff'ring people , and a Generall chose . So the wild multitude that shades enjoys , Enclos'd with toils , frighted with fire and noise , Fly to imprisoning valleys , and admire To see their Mountain lessen by the fire . There the wild multitude know equall fear . The Boar , the Woolf , together with the Bear Imprisoned lie : the fearfull Harts by them The fetter'd Lions in the toils contemn . Though both th' Atridae with the Army came , And Diomede ambitious of great fame , With Sthen'lus , and Antilochus appears More mindfull of the war than of his years . Though Ajax brought his Shield of seven hides , In compasse like a swelling Mountain sides . Though slie Ulysses was among the rest ; Yet of Achilles all a want express'd . His name brings joy . He must be Hector's fate , And ruine of great Priam and his State . " For whose first steps but his were taught to go " In the Aemonian Valleys thorough Snow ? " Whose youth such rigid principles was taught ? " His line from Heav'n so directly brought ? " For whom , but him , such care would Thetis have , " To arm his fair limbs with the Stygian wave ? This through the Camp while all the Greeks proclaim , The Captains joy , though vanquish'd , at his fame . So in Phlegraean fields when the gods were Assembled , and great Mars assum'd his Spear , Pallas her Snakes , his Bow Apollo took ; Yet Nature still wore an affrighted look , Till Jove himself loud storms and thunders rais'd , And from the clowds Aetnaean lightning blaz'd . Whilst here the Captains by their Troops enclos'd Consulted on those ways to peace oppos'd , Protestlaus , who most active show'd I' th War , and on whom fate was first bestow'd , Thus unto Calchas said ; Thestorides , Sure thou forgettest Phoebus Oracles : For when can thy inspired lips relate Better then now the hid decrees of Fate ? Dost thou not see how all amaz'd admire Aeacides , the object of desire ? The Calydonian Prince now all contemn , Slight either-Ajax too , and me with them . But since our valour now is scorned thus , Both Mars and ruin'd Troy shall speak for us . For him , the Princes all neglected are , And he is honour'd as a god of war . Speak quickly , ( or else why should we allow Those sacred wreaths on thy adorned Brow ? ) Where larks the Youth ? for now , as men report , Hee 's not in Chiron 's Cave , nor Peleus Court . Speak then : if ever , now let thy desires Wish for Prophetick breast-inspiring fires . Thou shalt secure from war and danger rest , Those gentle Wreaths with Helmets ne're be press'd . Be happy in th' esteem which all will ow To thee , if thou to us Achilles show . Calchas this while his eyes doth wildly throw , And his pale looks the god's approach do show . His cheeks straight glow with heat : nor can he find Or friends , or tents ; so wild he is and blind . Now in the sky great troops of gods he spies , Now from the Fowls he takes his Auguries , Now asks the Fates below their hid designs , And then consults the bright perfumed Shrines , Snatches the tops of the ascending fires , And with the holy fume himself inspires . His hairs erected stood : in no one place His neck kept fix'd , nor keep his feet one pace . Tired at length and trembling , a voice broke Through the opposing furie , and thus spoke . Whither dost thou Chiron 's lov'd charge now bear , Thetis , with Woman's craft ? Return him here . Hee 's due to us : though waves obey thy will , Yet Phoebus too a god my breast doth fill . Where dost thou hide the Trojan 's fate ? I see The Cyclades and shores sought out by thee , Where thou of thy unworthy theft art cas'd , The guilty Land of Lycomedes pleas'd . O crime ! those shamefull flowing garments tear , And be not subject to a Mother's fear . Ah me ! now from mine eyes , hee 's ravish'd quite , What guilty Virgin 's that salutes my sight ? Then staggering , by his strength and rage forsook , He sunk down by the Altar whilst he shook . Then to Ulysses , Diomede thus said , This businesse now seems to require our aid . For I shall ne'r refuse to go with thee , If the designe doth with thy thoughts agree . Though he in Tethys hollow sounding caves Were hid , or wrapp'd by Nereus in his waves , Thou ' dst find him out . Let thy care be express'd From that great spring of counsels in thy breast . For , which of all our Prophets can deny Thy judgment equall to their Prophesie ? Ulysses pleas'd , repli'd , What thou wouldst do , Great Jove assist , and 's blue-ey'd Daughter too . We run a hazard , 't is an act of weight To arm Achilles ; and a shame as great . If our designe be frustrated by fate : Yet what the Grecians wish , I 'le venture at , And with me , the Peleian Prince I 'le bring , Else Calchas tongue did uninspired sing . The Grecians shout : and Agamemnon too , Excites them unto that they meant to do . The Councell then dissolv'd , the Grecians rise , And with a gentle murmur shew their joyes : So at the night's approach , calm Hybla sees Return , with buzzing noise , her Laden bees . Now Ithacus a prosperous gale implores To fill his sails , the youths too ply their Oars . Farre off Achilles his disguise conceal'd , Who to Deidamia now must be reveal'd . She , though the crime were hid , did fear expresse , And thought her Sisters at the thing might guesse . For as Achilles stood among the bright Fair charming troup , ( his blushes put to flight ) He chose his lov'd companion , ( though the fair Enamour'd troup for him had equall care ) And practic'd the unknown designes of love , Which in her breast could no suspition move . With haste , he follows her from place to place : His eyes no businesse find but in her face , Repeating looks ; he useth to abide A close companion by her lovely side : Sometimes about her , flowry wreaths he strows , And sometimes at her , harmlesse javelins throw . Now chants he Layes , that Chiron taught , and brings Her courted fingers to the warbling string ; Straight his obliged lips to hers are fix'd , And praises with a thousand kisses mix'd . She gladly learns how Pelions top was rais'd , And who Achilles was , and hears amaz'd His name , with his atchievements of great things , Whilst he himself , himself there present sings . She teaches then his gentler arms to pull , In long extended threds , the following wool . Setling the shaken distaffe in its place , And his full voice admires and strong embrace : Observes his looks on none but her were fix'd , And all his words with long-fetcht sighs were mix'd . Now going to reveal his flame , she flies With Virgin-fears , and his design denies . So Heavn's great Ruler in his tender years , Kiss'd his affected Sister without fears : But Nature's laws being observ'd no more , She fears that love , she blush'd not at before . At length , his Mother's craft he did disclose , A grove there was , whose top to Heav'n arose . Sacred to Bacchus , in whose shades by nights The women paid their Trieterick rites . Whole herds they slaughtered , spears from Trees they rent , And to the God their gratefull furies sent . The Law forbad all Males : yet that command Was giv'n anew . Besides , a Priest did stand To watch the bounds , left they might be defil'd By some rash man . At this Achilles smil'd . Before the troup he with the Ensigne goes , And in unpractiz'd ways his arms bestows . Such as became the sex , and help'd the tales His Mother told . Wonder on all prevails To see Deidamia's self excell'd , as she From her fair Sisters challeng'd victory . But from his snowy neck , that so exceld , When the Hart's skin was thrown with Ivy held , His shining brows with purple ribbands bound , And toss'd his spear with Vines and Ivy crown'd . The troup then all amaz'd the sacrifice And rites forsook ; on him to feed their eyes . So Bacchus look't , whil'st he had yet resign'd To Theban luxuries his loosened mind , Then leaves soft wreaths , his green spear head 's with steel , And now his nobler force the Indians feel . Now Cynthia , in her Silver Chariot rode On heaven's highest road , when the dull God Of Sleep payes visits to the earth , and flings Over the silent world his heavy wings ; The tired Company then weary grown , Lay down to rest . Achilles all alone Thus with himself begins , How long shall I Endure a Mothers fearfull subtilty ? And in this soft esseminate Prison lose My noblest thoughts ? May not my right hand chose One armed dart , nor more pursue wild game ? Doth not Sperchios still for me complain ? And promised hairs ? Must I for nothing look , That 's brave , who such a Master so forsook ? Or to the shades do all believe me fled , And Chiron mourns me without issue dead : My darts and bow are now employ'd by thee , Patroclus too , and horses train'd for me ; Whilst I brandish a spear with Ivy dress'd , Or learn to spin , I blush while't is confess'd . Why dost thou hide thy passionate designe , And in dissimulation bury time ? Shall still these flaming words consume thy breast , And leave thy sex and passion unexprest ? This said , and pleas'd with the concealing time Of night , sleep too assisting his designe , She now no more his feign'd embraces found , Whilst he by force his burning wishes crown'd . The Stars all smil'd , whilst they the wantons spi'd , And Cynthia , her bright horns with blushes di'd . The Woods and Hills rang with her noise ; when all , Rous'd from their sleep , thought it the signall call . At which the ecchoing grove with clamours shakes , Whilst he again , his wreathed Thyrsus takes : But his afflicted mistresse first thus chear● , 'T is I am he ( why dost thou shew these fears ? ) Born of the Oceans Queen , who did bestow My breeding on me in Thessalian snow . Nor had I e're endur'd this soft disguise , Had not I first been charmed by thine eyes . It was thy pow'r besides , that did command A Timbrel and a Distaff in this hand . Why dost thou weep , since to the Ocean's King , Thou art a Child , that must Heav'n issues bring ? And ere thy Father shall disturb my joy , Storms and unvanquish'd flames shall all destroy . I am not turn'd a woman quite with this , But yet awhile conceal this stealth of blisse ? At this , new fears amaz'd th' affrighted Queen , Though still suspicious of him she had been . Trembling when he came near , now she fear'd more , When he confess'd what she believ'd before . Should she her Father tell , ( what should she do ? ) And with her self ruine the lov'd Youth too ? For his dear sake , she rather chose to be By silence made as deep in guilt as he . By joynt consent , one confident they chose , To whom they did their secret theft disclose , Her womb now swells : and , all her heavy time , She cunningly conceals her shame and crime . Till Nature's just designed term did come , And kind Lucina did unload her womb .

ANNOTATIONS on the Third Book of STATIUS his ACHILLEIS .

STatius , in the beginning of his third Book , ( according to the Paris-Edition , for that of Amsterdam maketh but two ) representeth Greece preparing war against Troy , and declaring their affection to it . This was the first war we read the Greeks were engaged in , Thucyd. lib. 1. And therefore it is the lesse wonder that they loved war , seeing they understood it not . Since also we have monstrous examples of some , that have been weary of peace , giving it no better a name than Idlenesse , and making it the scandall of a Nation . When it is wanted , it will be esteemed . Such is the fatall folly of frail nature . Sylla told King Bocchus , that the gods advised him , when he chose any peace rather then war . And when some disliked the effects of the Treaty , Salust Bell. Jug . excellently saith , Scilicet ignari rerum humanarum , quae fluxae & mobiles saepiùs in adversa mutantur . Expectation of better is the great cousenage of this world , at least the attempts and profession of it .

10. Two Oceans . ] Peloponnesus , now called Morea , hath the Ionian Sea on the right hand , and the Aegean on the left , being a Peninsula , in whose isthmus stood the City of Corinth .

11. Malea . ] A Promontory in Laconia , between which and Taenarus is the Laconian Bay , Strab. lib. 8.

16. Temesa . ] A City of the Brutians , famous for Brasse-mines ; after called Tempsa , Plin. l. 3. c. 5. There is a Town of this name in Cyprus also famous for Brasse . One of these afforded matter for the stately Horse of Domitian , Statius Silv. lib. 1. in Equo . Domit.

Et quîs se totis Temese dedit hausta metallis . Upon which large and stately Statue , shrines The City Temesa's exhausted Mines .

17. Eubaea● shore . ] Euboea assisted with ships , being an Island opposite to the Continent of Attica , Boeotia , and Locris , extending from Sunium as far as Thessalie , Strab. lib. 10.

18. Mycena ] A City so near Argos , that , as Strabo saith , their names were oftentimes promiseuously used for one another . It was once the head of Argia ; distant from Argos but fifty furlongs , Strabo . lib. 8. & Pausan . in Corinth . It received its name ( as Etepha●us saith ) from the handle of a Sword , which the Greeks call 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . The word signifleth properly a Musbrain . It is used also for the lower part of the handle of a Sword , which is like a Mushrum . Mycena had its name from hence , because Perseus letting the handle of his Sword fall there , was commanded by Mercury there to build that City .

19. Pisa . ] A City near the River Alpheus , where the Olympick Games were celebrated , seated in Elis , a Region , which with Messena takes up the West-part of Peloponnesus . Here Salmoneus once reigned , whose ambition and punishment is thus described , Aen. 6. 585.

Vidi & crudeles dantem Salmonea poenas , Dum flammas Jovis & sonitus imitatur . Olympi . Quatuor hic invectus equis , & lompada quassans , Per Graiûin populos mediaeque per Elidis urbem Ibat ovans , Divûinque sibi poseebat honorem : Demens , qui nimbos & non-imitabile fulmen Aere & comipedum cursu fimulârat equorum . At Pater omnipotens densa . inter nubila telum Conto●fit ( non ille faces nec fumea tedis Lumina ) praecipitemque immani turbine adegit . I also saw Salmoneus cruell fate In tortures held , who strove to imitate Jove's lightning , and the noise that heaven makes . By four Steeds drawn , a sputtring Torch he shakes , And through fair Elis crowded streets he drives , Ambitious of the gods prerogatives ; Mad man to think , that Flame which thought exceeds , To imitate with Brasse and trampling Steeds . But through the cracking clowds enraged Jove A fatall rushing Dart whirl'd from above , ( Not Brands , nor smoaky Torches ) and him cast Headlong by that unimitable blast .

20 Nemea . ] A Wood of Achaie , where Hercules slew a Lion . Servius saith , Nemca est vicina sylva Thebis , in qu● Hercules interemit Leonem . But this is a great error in the learned Servius . For Nemea is a Forrest between Cleona and Phlius , Strab. lib. 8. & Thucyd. l. 5. which Towns are far distant from Thebes , which is in Boeotia .

21. Cyrrha . ] A City of Phocis , in the Corinthian Bay , Strab. lib. 9. Pausanias in Phocicis , makes it all one with Crissa ; Plinie , not . Here Apollo was worshipped : And therefore the people haply said to have delighted in Arrows .

22. Lerna gives hides . ] Near Argos is a Lake of this name , where Hercules slew the Hydra , notwithstanding that in the room of one head lopped off , three new ones still sprouted forth . Servius believeth , that in this place there was a swift River , which overflowed the neighbouring Towns , and being stopped in one place , broke forth in many others with greater impetuousnesse : Which mischief Hercules remedied , by damming up the whole Lake . There is a Town also , as Britannicus saith , of this name .

23 , 24. Acarnan — with th' Aetolian . ] Aetolia bordereth on Phocis , Acarnania on Aetolia , betwixt which runneth the river Achelous . The Bay of Ambracia parteth Acarnania from Epirus , Strab. l. 9.

¶ Argos . ] Here Juno had a Temple , whence she was called Juno Argiva . It is commonly placed in Maps a great way from the Sea ; but Pausanias in Corinthiacis saith , It is but forty furlongs off ; which Thucydides also confirmeth , lib. 5. where he saith , that the Argives fearing the Lacedaemonians , and renewing League with the Athenians , raised large Walls from their City down to the Sea-shore , to the end , that if they were shut up by Land , they might , by the Athenian's help , receive in fitting provisions by Sea .

25. Arcadia . ] A Region in the midst of Peloponnesus , Strab. lib. 8. remote every way from the Sea ; famous for pasture , and much more , in having been the subject of so many excellent Pens . For which cause it needeth no more of mine .

26. Epirus . ] A Country bordering on Greece , on the East divided from Achaia by Achelous , on the West by the Acroceraunian Mountains , which lie upon the Adriatick shore ; on the North it is bounded by Macedonia : Its South-side is washed by the Ionian Sea . It was first named Molossia ; afterwards Chaonia , from Chaon brother of Helenus ; now , Albania . Once it was full of Cities and Inhabitants ; but after it was vanquished by the Romans , it long retained the marks of a conquered Nation . Among other things it was famous for swift Horses , Servius in Virg. Georg. 3. That incomparable Poet ( Georg. 1. ) also ascribeth the same to it , — Eleadum palmas Epiros equarum . Epirus Breed by swiftnesse gains The Garland in th' Olympick Games . Servius in loc . out of Plinie , giveth this reason of their swiftnesse , that they stale in their courses ; which is not onely ridiculous , but impossible . Georg. 3. 273. The Poet relateth the fond opinion of Mares generating with the wind , which Servius also out of Varro conirmeth . In these latter days , Epirus gained its greatest fame , by being the place for which the generous Scanderbeg performed so many glorious actions .

27. Aonian shades , and Phocis . ] Both Regions of Boeotia . The Phocians inhabit the East-side of Para●ssus the Muse's Hill , Sirah . 1. 9. Aonia also had a Fountain dedicated to the Muses : Whence Juvenal Sat. 7.

— aptusque bibendis Fontibus Aonidum .

28. Pyles & Messana . ] Pylus is a City of Messenia , on the Promentory Coryphastum . Thucydides , lib 4. relating the advice of Demosthenes to fortifie Pylus , taketh occasion to shew its distance from Sparta to be four hundred furlongs , and that it standeth in the Territory , called by the Lacedaemonians Coryphastum , that once belonged to the Messenians . This was Nestor's Country . There is also in Elis a City of this name ; Strabo speaketh of them both , and also of a third in Arcadia , Messene , here called Messana , is a City and Region on the West-part of Peloponnesus , consining on Arcadia , Elis , and Laconia . But Messana is a Town in Sicilie , near Pelorus . Strabo lib. 8. saith , it was called Zancle : Which name , Ibucydides , lib. 6. saith , the Sicilians gave it , because it was like a Sickle , which they called 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . After , it received the name of Messana , from Anaxilas the Tyrant of Rhegium , being the name of the Country whence he was antiently deseended ; but others say from the Messenians , a people in Achaia .

34. Täygetus ] A Mountain of Laconia , beginning at the Sea , and reaching up towards Arcadia as far as Lacedaemon , Sirah . lib. 8. It was sacred to Bacchus , as Servius saith on these words , Georg. 2. — et virginibus Bacchata Lacaenis Täygeta . — And on Täygetus top , where all Laconian Virgins pay their Bacchanalls . Cicero de divinat . lib. 1. saith , The Lacedaemonians being warned by Anaximander to leave their houses , they were suddenly thrown down by an Earth-quake , with part of the mountain Täygetus .

45. Stakes ] The Antients made use of stakes in war , sharpned at one end , and hardned in the fire , Virg. Aen. 11.

Stipitibus ferrum sudibusque imitantur obustis .

57. Aulis ] An Haven ( or an Island , as Servius saith , in Aen. 4. ) of Baeotia , where the Greeks made their great rendezvous , and took an Oath to destroy Troy , or never to return , Senec. Agam. 170.

Cruore ventos emimus , & bellum nece

& v. 172.

Non est soluta prospero classis Deo . Ejecit Aulis impias portu rates . War and th' obliged Winds by blood were brib'd . Not a propitious Power was their guide , When from the Port of Aulis first they fled , And their swell'd sails the impious Navy spread .

This blood was Iphigenia's , who was sacrificed to Diana , because Agamemnon her father had killed a Hart which the goddesse loved . Much contention there is concerning her transformation ; Most agree she was turn'd into a Hinde . Ludovicus Coppellus in his Diatriba de vota Jephtae , compareth the condition of Agamemnon and Jephtha together , and maketh them contemporary , and fetcheth the name Iphigenia from Jephtha , quasi Iephthigenia ; and conceiveth the fable of her transmutation arose from the story of Iepthah's daughter wandring on the Mountains . Of this sacrifice speaketh Nazianzen , Orat. 20. And Eusebius , de praeparat , Evang. hath much of human sacrifices ; which are said to have been performed by divers Authors . The Fable of Agamemnon's daughter is set down by Hyginus , lib. 1. cap. 98. Ovid , Metamorph. lib. 13. Euripides , in Iphigenia , Seneca in Agam. Dictys Cretensis , and many others .

79. Antilochus ] the son of Nestor , famous for his actions against Troy . Statius here giveth him this character ,

— nec cogitet annos Antilochus .

This , Britannicus interpreteth of his youth , and his doing actions , that such years as his were not wont to produce . But had he remembred , that his Father had been at the hanting of the Bore with Meleager , Ovid. Metamorph. lib. 8. fab 4. and had already lived two ages , when he came against Troy , Homer , Il. a 250. he might with more reason , have believed Juvenal , concerning the age of Antilochus ▪ Stat. 10. 250.

— Oro , parumper Attendas , quantum de legibus ipse queratur Fatorum , & nimio de stamine , cum vidci acris Antilochi barbam ardentem , cum quaerit ab omni , Quisquis adest socius , cur haec in tempora duret , Quod facinus dignum tam long● admiserit aevo . Hearken a little , how old Nestor cries Against the Fates , and too kind destinies ; The beard of brave Antilochus , while he Upon the funerall pile doth flaming see . Of every one , demanding what strange crime Prolong'd his age to such a wretched time :

85 , 86. He must be Hectors fate , And ruine of great Priam ] The death of Hector , I have above set down . The ruine of Priam is justly attributed to Achilles , in that he begat Pyrrhus , who killed him before the Altar , Virg. Aen. 2 554.

Haec finis Priami fatorum ; hic exitus illum Sorte tulit , Trojam incensam & prolapsa videntem Pergama , tot quondam populis terrisque superbum Regnatorem Asiae , jacet ingens littore truncus , Av●ls●mque humeris caput , & sine nomine corpus . This was of once great Priam the hard fate , Troy seen on fire , and his ruin'd state ; He who o're part of Asia late did reign , Now headlesse lies , a corps without a name .

We read of few examples , of so great alteration of fortune , unlesse this later age hath produced them ; Who now perhaps , take such a prospect of their scorned bodies , as Lucan , lib. 9. v. 10. giveth pompey of his from Heaven ,

— Illic post quam se lumine vero . Implevit , stellasque vagas miratur , & astra Fixa polis , vidit quanta sub nocte jacere● Nostra dies , risitque sui ludibria trunci . There with true light inspir'd , the wandring fires And fixed stars for ever he admires . The day sees wrap'd in night , which us beguiles , And at his scorn'd and headlesse carcase smiles .

95. Phlegraean fields ] Phlegra is a valley in Thessaly , where the mountains Pelion and Ossa stand , on which the Poets feigned the Giants ass●●●lted heaven . There is another Phlegra in Campania , near Cume , which some make the stage of that bold attempt , Strab ▪ lib. 5. Some reduce it to a truth , as ridiculous as the fable ; How that a proud Nation , of monstrous dispositions , rather then statures , warred against Hercules , and were here overthrown by help of lightning , which arose by agitation of winds , the earth being sulfurous , and so subject to burning : From whence it had the name Phlegra , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 signifying to burn . Cicero , in his Cato major , saith the War of the Giants with the gods , was nothing but Men' rebelling against Nature . And Macrobius , Saturn , lib. 1. c. 20. describeth them to have been an impious race of men , who , denying the gods , were therefore said to attempt the dethroning of them , And their lower parts , feigned to be like the winding voluminous tails of Dragons ; signified their indirect and crooked affections . Vadianus , in his learned Notes on Mela , understandeth this Gigantomachia , of the enclosure of air in the earth , which forceth its way forth , as it were with defiance to Heaven , which is Jupiter ; And this glanceth at the Mythology , that Macrobius giveth . Ovid , Fastor . 5. thus expresseth the Fable .

Terra feros partus immania monstra gigantes Edidit , auturos in Jovis ire domum . Mille manus illis dedit , & pro cruribu● augues ; Atque ait , In magnos arma movete Deos ▪ Exstruere hi montes ad sidera su●m● paraban , Et magnum bello sollicitare Jovem . Fulmina de coeli jaculatus Jupiter arce , Vertit in autores pondera vasta suos . The Earth brought forth Giants to vastnesse grown , That durst attempt to storm Jove's starry Throne . A thousand hands she gave them , crooked thighs Like snakes , and bids them war with Deities . They hills on mountains pil'd to reach the stars , Attempting Jove himself with impious wars . From whose revenging hand , the lightning blaz'd , Turning those mountains on them which they rais'd .

This , learned Bochartus accurately applieth to the builders of the Tower of Babel , Geograph . Sacr. lib. 1. c. 13.

175. Hybla . ] A City in Sicily , abounding with flowers and bees . Senec● , Oedip. 601.

Nec vere stores Hybla tot medio creat . Nor doth the fragrant Hybla bring So many flowers in the spring .

213. Heaven's great Ruler . ] Jupiter was bred with his sister Juno in Creet . See on Book II , verse 208. He was said to marry her by reason of the propinquity of the Fire and the Air ; Hence also it was , that he could not match with Thetis , that is , the Sea . He is called 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 in Greek , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , from being the giver of Life . Aulus Gellius , lib. 5. c. 12. Jovem Latine veteres à ju●●hdo appellavere ; eundémque alio vocabulo juncto Patrem dixerunt : Which by the cutting off , and altering some Letters , is Jovispater ▪ as Marspater , or Marspiter . This , unimitable Selden condemneth , Syniagm . 2. de Baal and Belo .

219 , 220 , 221 , A grove there was — Sacred to Bacchus , in whose shades by nights , The women pay'd their Trieterick rites . ] I shall venture to be judged impertinent , rather then neglect these two subjects , consecrated Groves , and the Rites of Bacchus ; Of these , with as much brevity as is possible . A Grove is called in Latin , I ucus , quòd non luceat ; non , quód sint ibi lumina causa religionis , ut quidam volunt , as Servius , in Aen. 1 , And in Georg. 3. he affirmeth , that all Groves were consecrated to Diana ; Perhaps , it was generally believed so , by reason that she was reputed the Goddesse of the Woods . For Servius certainly , could not forget that verse , Aen. 7.

— Et viridi gaudens Feronia lucs .

On which both himselfe and Sabinus relate , that the grove of this Goddesse , Feronia , being burnt down , and the people going to carry away her Statues , immediately it sprung up again , fresh and green . Suetonius in Augusto , speaketh of a grove , sacred to Liber or Bacchus , where Octavius consulted concerning his son ; These Groves were used for Temples by the Germans , Alexand. ab Alex. lib. 4. c. 17. And Tacitus , de morib . Germanor , cap. 9. saith , Lucos ac nemora consecrant , Deorúmque nominibus appellant secretion illud quod solâ reverentiâ vident : A description of these groves , fee in Seneca , Oedip. act. 3. and in our Poet , Thebaid 4. I have in some of these Notes , given short intimations , that there was nothing in the worship of Daemons , which was not an imitation of the worship of the true God : Larger proofs whereof , time perhaps may favour my intentions to produce . Among other things , Groves will appear to have had such an originall ; Learned Mr. Mede , on Josh. 24. 26. sheweth that the Jewes had their praying places , besides their Synagogues , out of a notable place of Epiphanius , a Jew bred and born in Palaestine . Which , he saith , were open places , and calleth them Proseuchas . Of which Juvenal , Sat. 3. 296.

— In qua te quaero proseucha ?

On which words , the Scholiast and Lubine say , Proseucha signifieth a place , where Beggars use to inhabit . For 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 is Orare , to beg or pray . Yet the Scholiast immediately addeth , Est Proseucha , locus Judaeorum , ubi orant ; Mr. Mede also citeth a place of Philo Judaeus , in his de legat . ad Caium , where he commendeth the exceeding clemency of Augustus Caesar , in allowing the Jewes their Proseucha's . But he denieth not but that , under that name , Philo comprehendeth Synagogues also ; Politian Miscell . cap. 30. faith , the word is used , pro Templo & Synagoga Judaeorum . Some held the Jewes had no Synagogues before the Captivity : and their reason , perhaps , is the silence of the Scripture , which mentioneth them not , till the Jewes were returned from Babylon : This Mr. Mede taketh notice of , and letteth it passe for currant ; But as for Proseucha , or consecrated Groves , he proveth them to be near as antient as Joshuah : shewing the Oak of Shechem , to have been such an one , and not a single Tree , as the common interpretation rendieth it . That Trees were in these Proseucha's , may be gathered from another place of Philo , cited by the same worthy Author , where relating the outrage of the Gentiles , at Alexandria , against the Jewes , there dwelling in the time of Caius , he faith , Proseucha's , they cut down the Trees , others , they demolished to the very foundations . This also is implied by that of Juvenal , Sat. 6. 542. Arcanam Iud●● tremens mendicat at aurem , Interpres legum Solymarum , & magna sacerdos Arboris . And Sat. 3. 12. he complaineth , that the Jews had leave to live in the wood , which had been sacred to the Mases . Whence this joyning of Trees and Jews together , but from their having their Proseucha's ordinarily set with them ? I could set down many Texts of Scripture , which directly distinguisheth between these Groves and Temples , as Psal. 74. 7. though not rendred so in the Vulgar . Translation . So Gen. 13. 4. it is said , that Abraham went unto the place of the altar which he had made at first , and there called on the name of the Lord . Which is explained by Gen. 21. 33. a place expresse to our purpose , And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba , and called there on the name of the Lord , the everlasting God . Luk. 6. 12. we meet with one of these praying-places . There it is said of Jesus ; 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , He went out into a mountain to pray , and continued there all night praying to God . So Beza rendieth the place , Abii● in montem ad precandum , & pernoctavit illic preca●s Deum , which certainly will not seem a just interpretation to any eyes : but it would be much more genuinely translated in proseucha Dei , than , taking 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 for a Genitive case of the Object , in precatione ad Deum . And in this sense , without doubt , the word is to be understood , Act. 16. 16. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , euntibus nobis ad prose●cham , or locum orationis . Beza here also translateth it ad precationem . But v 13. it is said , that Paul and his company went on the Sabbath day out of the city Philippi by a river side , where prayer was wont to be made . If the word 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 be here taken for prayer , neverthelesse it importeth a place where it was used , and that by a river's side : And it could not be a Temple , because they went out of the city to it , and Temples always stood in Cities . Therefore ●● judge the word most properly to be taken for a place , that is , a Proseuchs , or grove . These Daemons taught the Gentiles , in imitation of the Jews , to use such places of devotion . Herein abominable ceremonies were practise , as frequently appeareth in Scripture , and therefore were they forbidden . See Isa. 57. 5. Hos. 4. 13. Ezek 6. 13 ▪ Thus much of Groves . Now for Baechus and his rites , I shall first set down the Fable , which hath more reflexion on the truth than is generally conceived . The Poets say , that Semele desiring to embrace Jupiter as Iuno was wont , and being burnt for her ambitious appetite ; Iupiter caught his little imperfect Infant from within her , and having sewed it up within his own thigh , kept it there till the time was compleat that it should have lien in the womb Then issuing forth , he was bred up by Nymphs , and became the inventer of Wine . Of which , see Eusebius de praeparat . Evang. lib. 2. cap. 2. who there speaketh of another Bacchus the son Iupiter and Proserpine , much antienter than the son of Semele . But this is rather from others fancies , than from proofs either of his own or theirs . As little will it be necessary to take notice of the endeavours of Macrobius , to make Bacchus all one with Apollo , Sat. l. 1. c. 8. Which opinion is condemned by Easebius , de praepar . Evang. l. 3. c. 13. It will be onely in some small manner convenient , to take some sleight notice of some Physicall applications of the Fable . Bacchus , they say , was feigned to proceed from his father's thigh , because Vines prosper best in a warm soil . His lips were anointed with Hony by the daughter of Aristaeus ; for the Antients held Wine a friend to Eloquence . He continueth still young ; for Wine preserveth the heart from cares , which are a greater cause of wrinckles and gray hairs than age . Hence also was he called Liber . Other reasons of which name , see in Plutarch , Quaest. Roman qu. 25. Many other appellations of his see in Ovid Metam . l. 4. Aelian V●r . hist. l. 3. c. 41. Alex. ab Alex. l. 6. c. 4. Natal . Com. l. 5. c. 13. Pier. Hieroglyph . l. 27. Gyrald . Syntagm 8. All which , having no relation to the truth , I forbear to meddle with . For declaring who Bacchus was , and what his rites and ceremonies were , I hold it requisite to shew who Saturn the father of Iove was , by whom Bacchus was begotten ; and herein I shall wholly follow learned Bochartus . Saturn he accurately proveth to be Noah . For , as the Scripture styleth a Souldier , a man of war , Josh. 5. 4. a murderer , a man of blood , 2 Sam. 16 7. &c so it styleth Noah onely , a man of the earth , that is , an Husbandman : Which title Saturn had , and was , as Noah , believed the first planter of Vineyards . Therefore to him they attribute the use of the Reap-hook , and picture him with one , Plutarch Quaest. Rom. 42. Macrob. Saturn l. 1. c. 7 , & 10. And as if Noah , by his being a man of the earth , had indeed married the earth , Saturn was said to be the husband of Rhea , which seemeth to be derived of 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , to flow , and signified the earth , which is the seat of moisture . For , according to antient Philosophers , all Rivers are generated , and have their courses under ground . This Virgil sheweth , Georg. 4. who saith , That when Aristaeus was admitted into his mother's kingdom , Omnia sub magna labentia flumina terra Spectabat diversa locis . — There under ground he spi'd How severall ways the wandring Rivers glide . Macrobius Saturn l. 1. c. 10. deriveth Saturn's name à sa●u , to wit , from planting or sowing . Satur , that is , plenteous or abundant , is nearer to it ; and Sator , that is , a Sower or Planter . From Noah's being drunk , Bochartus lib. 1. cap. 1. bringeth the use of the Saturnalia ; and inserteth a pretty observation concerning his cursing of Cham , because he had seen his secret parts . The like the Heathens held proceeded from Saturn . For Minerva having stricken Tiresias blind for seeing her naked , thus excuseth her self to his mother , Callimach . Hymn . — non per me , perdidit ille o culos : Nec mihi luminibus pueros orbare voluptas , Ast à falcigero lex Sene l●t● jubet . Vt poena graviore luat , temeraria quisquis Ausit in invitos lumina ferre deos . 'T was not by me : nor do I take delight Or pleasure to rob any of their sight . The Law from Saturn came , That he should be Punish'd , who e're th' unwilling gods should see . For this , Actaeon suffered . And to this Law Propertius alludeth , lib. 3. Greg. 12. speaking of the Golden age , Non fuerat nud●● poena videre deas . The son of Noah or Saturn which was cursed , was Cham or Ham ; who , by reason of his being the youngest , or rather because cursed by his father , inhabited the sandy and barren parts of Africk , where he was worshipped by the name of Jupiter Hammon , or Ham. Now Ham had a son or grandson called Nimrod , who was all one with Bacchus , as Bochartus , without any question , concludeth , lib. 1. cap. 2. For Bacchus is the same with BAR-CHUS , that is , the son of Chu●● or C●sh , as Nimrod was , Gen. 10. 8. So Darmesek and Dammesek is all one with Damascut . One of Bacchus his antient names is 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , which signifieth a mighty Hunter , as Nimrod was , Gen. 10. 9. And this is the reason why some held Bacchus the same with Pluto , Pluto enim defunctorum ●nimss venatur & captat . Bacchus was also called 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , from 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , an Hind's Calf , because himself and his frantick adorers were usually clad with Stags skins . This also hath relation to Nimrod's being termed an Hunter : And Bochartus sheweth Nimrod and Nebrod to be all one . Bacchus was said to be born of Jupiter's thigh : Now some will not have 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 to signifie a thigh , but to be the name of an Hill where he was born , by Nysa in India ; so Mela , lib. 3. cap. 7. and Plinie , lib. 6. cap. 21. Others conceive , it signifieth the side of a mountain , as Iudg 19. 1. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , in the thighs , or sides , of mount Ephraim . And 2 King . 19. 23. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , to the thighs , or sides , of Libanus . So perhaps Bacchus was said to be born out of his father's thigh , because he was born on the side of some mountain , not that of India . But I much rather believe this part of the Fable arose from mistake of the originall word 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , femur , that is , the thigh , or the leg , which the Scripture useth for a modest expression of the place of generation , as Mr. Mede teacheth on Gen. 49. 10. where he interpreteth also the words , [ from between his feet ] to signifie his posterity . Gen. 46. 26. it is said , All the souls that came with Jacob into Egypt , which came out of his loins , &c. And Exod. 1. 5. All the souls which came out of the loyns of Jacob. But in both places the Hebrew signifieth thigh , as the Marginall Notes in our Bibles show ▪ And learned Bochartus saith , the Phoenician words , which properly signifie the thigh , signifie also the generating parts . Thus Bacchus his proceeding from the thigh of Jupiter , according to the Orientall expressions , ( from whence this Fable came ) implieth no more , than that Bacchus was the son of Jupiter . Now I shall briefly consider their Rites , which will appear the same with the worship of Heroes and Daemons . Jupiter the son of Saturn or Noah was the same that was named Baal or Belus , as Bochartus sheweth , Geogr. sacrae . pag. 189. Bell was the proper Chaldaean word , Baal the Phoenician , as the most learned Selden saith , Syntagm . de Baal & Belo ; both which names ( as he sheweth ) are promiscuously used by Fl. Josephus . The same illustrious Author proveth Baal to be Jupiter ; and withall maketh it appear , that Baal was a generall name for all the gods of the Gentiles . And Belus might be taken for Heaven : and so perhaps the Altar which Manasseh raised to the host of heaven was erected to Baal or Bell. Eusebius de praepar . Evang l. 1. c. 10. saith , Beel-sames signifieth the Lord of Heaven , who by the Greeks ●● called 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Jupiter . As the Altars of Baal which Josiah threw down Were in high places , so Delrius in Senecam . Hercul . Oct. citeth a place of Herodotus , to prove that sacrifices were performed on the Tops of high mountains . Omnis autem mons , saith he , Jovis mons dicitur , quoniam mos fuit antiquorum ut supreme Deorum in sublimi luco sacrificarent . This he citeth out of Melanthes , that every mountain was called the mountain of Jupiter , because it was the custom of the antients , to sacrifice to the most high God in an high place . Now as the Babylonian Bel , differed from the Phoenician Baal . or Bel , so Jupiter Hammon , from Jupiter Capitolinus , and others . St. Paul , 1 Cor 8. 5. saith , Sunt dii multi , & domini multi . Which Mr. Selden alloweth to be many Bels or , as the Europaeans speak , many Joves . And thus the name of Belus was conferred on many ; But that - Baal or Jupiter who was the son of Noah or Saturn , was the first we read of , that was worshipped ; though the worship of Ba●ls , was the worship of Heroes or Daemons ; To which we now descend . And that it may appear most reasonable , to apply this worship to the most early persons , that we read of in the World ; two things are to be thought on , 1. That the Devill no sooner fell from Heaven , but he began to act against God : as we see in his tempting of Eve , 2. That he found , all men would be apt to adore most , what they knew here , and from which they received most benefit ; Which was the sol● reason , that Plato and other Heathens give for the worshipping of Heroes . And in the time of Noah , there being none besides him and his sons to leave beneficiall directions for the succeeding age , it is likely , that they were the first , who , by the Devil's means , were worshipped as Heroes : To whose worship , the Daemons joyned their own . That their worships were the same , Cicero confirmeth , making Gods and Heroes all one ▪ Divas , & cos qui coelestes sempe●●habiti , colunto ; & illos quos in coelum merita vocaverint , that is ▪ Those Gods which have ever been in Heaven , are to be worshipped ; and those also , whom their deserts have called thither . And again , By death they came to be Gods Apuleius also , Est superius aliud augustiusque Daemonum genus , &c. There is , saith he , a more high and excellent kind of Daemons , which never were imprisoned in bodies : And these Plato believed , were the directers of the minds of men . And Plato in his Cratylus , giveth the same Title un o Heroes ; affirming , that Hesiod and other Poets , say excellently well , that good men , when they die , attain great Honour and Dignity , becoming 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , wise ones . And in his de Republ. he would have all that die valiantly in the field , to be worshipped as Daemons , and all that 〈◊〉 any thing profitable for their Country ; Cicero , also in his 〈◊〉 S●●p . maketh him say , that all which died in the service of their Country , be rewarded with Divinity : On which , see Macrobius , lib. 1. c. 4. There are some , that believe Serapis , whose Idol had a Bushell on its head , was Joseph worshipped by the Aegyptians ; Mr. Mede , in his Apostasie of the last times , citeth Philo Byblius , who in his Preface , to Sanchuntathon , the antient Phaenician Historian , saith , The Phoenicians and Aegyptians , account those as the greatest Gods , who had found out any thing profitable for the Life of man , or deserved well of any Nation . See Eusebius , de praepar . Evang. l. 2. c. 6. about the middle ; To these also , were Temples erected as well as to their Daemon-gods . Thucydides , lib. 2. saith , The Athenians , who after the Persian War , inhabited the Country , altering their resolutions , went to dwell in the City ; but finding it not large enough to receive them , they filled also the Temples and Chappels of the Heroes . Clemens Alex. in his Protrept . and Strom. giveth many the like instances , which I forbear to adde ; Onely shewing , that the Daemons joyned their own worship to that of Heroes , or deified men , as being the aptest course to draw men from the worship of the true God ; Religion , in the infancy of the World , being most confirmed by visibilities : Which way God himself was pleased to allow , and the Devils imitated . The worship of these Heroes , or Baalim , we find to have been wholly Tragicall , as Plutarch , de defectu oracu●or . describeth it : ut colligimus ex utrorumque sacrificiis , orgiis & ritibus sacrorum multa admixta funebria & lugubria cernentes . Now this ▪ was an expression of sorrow for the deceased ; which grew a part of the religion . Wherefore we read , Lev. 19. 28. Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead . So Lev. 21. 5. They shall not make baldnesse on their heads , nor make any cuttings in their flesh . This cutting off hair , we find often an expression of sorrow among the antient Poets ; And its being forbidden by God , is a plain Demonstration , that it was part of the Idolatrous worship of Daemons or Heroes . Yet sometimes it was used onely , for an expression of sorrow , See Jer. 48. 37. To this effect , Saint Augustine de civ . dei . l. 6. c. 10. quoteth a place of Seneca's , not exstant in his works about praefixed by Lipsius in his Edition ; who thus describeth this Idolatious and Tragicall employment , Ille viriles sibi partes amputat , ille lacertos secat . Se ipsi in temples contrucidant , vulneribus suis & sanguine supplicant . An exacter description , cannot be had of their cutting and lancing themselves , and making their wounds their supplications . This sad manner of worship , we may plainly see to be no other th●●●●at of Baal or Jove , as it is expressed , 1 Kings 18 28. And th●● cried aloud , ( that is , the Priests of Baal ) and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancers , till the blood gushed out upon them . Thus have we seen the worship of of Baal or Jove ; that is , Cham or Ham the son of Noah Whose ill mind , it is probable , was easily enticed by Spirits , to cause himself to be worshipped when dead . We shall find his son Bacchus to have had no other rites but those of his . I will not stand to dispute when Bacchus lived , whom Clemens Alex. lib 1. Strom. placeth after Moses . Neither will I set down the reasons of learned Vossius , who saith he was Moses . This would be too large a field to walk over , and at this time not greatly to my purpose . I will onely shew , that his worship was the same with that of Daemons or Heroes , as Baal's or Jove's was . First , it will not be amisse to take notice , that Bacchus had the title of Heros given him , Plutarch Quaest. Graec. 36. His name BACCHUS signifieth something furious . So he is also called Maenoles , ●b insania : of which , see Eusebius , Praep. Evang. l. 2 c 3. who expresseth it according to Clemens Alex. in Protreptico , where he applieth the word Evan , which when they kept their Bacchanalta , they used to houl out , being crowned with Serpents , to the first Serpent the Tempter , Et signum Bacchicorum orgiorum est Serpens initiatus mysteriis . And , by the way , this perhaps was the cause why in these rites they used to be crowned with Ivy : This , being always young and flourishing , is the hieroglyphick of the Serpent , who , by casting his skin , reneweth his youth . Bochartus sheweth , how Bacchus his name commeth à luctu , from the funerall rites and howlings used in his worship . But such were not proper to Bacchus , but common to all Daemons or Heathen gods . Alexand. ab Alex. lib. 3. c. 12. Non animali victimâ , nec hostiâ , sed suo cruore sacrificant . And perhaps these sad ceremonies of wounding themselves , were by some over-devout Zelots extended to human sacrifices , which were offered to divers Heroes , and among them to Bacchus , as Clemens Alex. in Proireptico , reporteth from Dosidas and others . Eusebius Praep. Evang. l 4. c. 16. relateth the same out of Porphyrius , where he mentioneth others besides Bacchus , to whom human sacrifices were offered . The 〈◊〉 of his Priests we often met with , leaping and dancing on the 〈◊〉 ●●horus's . ; ; ; ; So Baal's Priests are described , 1 King . 18. 26. And ●●y leapt upon the altar which was made . The Marginall Note , according to the Hebrew , is , They leapt up and down a ( or about ) the altar . The cries and wailings in the Bacchanalia were no other , than the howls which accompanied these ceremonies 〈◊〉 Isa. 15. 2. Moab shall howl over Nebo and over Medeba : on all the 〈…〉 shall be baldnesse , and every beard cut off . And that the rites 〈◊〉 appear the same in all things , we may see the very cutting and lanching , that is , the effusion of blood , mentioned in Baal's Worship , to be also performed in the Feasts of Bacchus ; as Statius intimateth , describing the wandring Polynices , who leaveth — Ogygiis ululata furoribus antra Deserit , & pingues Baccheo sanguine colles . Those caves which furious rites with howlings fill , And with Bacchean blood th' enriched hill . Upon which , Lactantius saith , Citheronem significat , ubi se Bacchae secant in honorem Liberi ; that is , By the hill is meant Citheron , where the Bacchae , the Priests of Bacchus , cut themselves in honour of Liber , or Bacchus . Thus have I made it appear , that the worship of Bacchus was exactly the same with his father Jupiter's , and both no other than that of Heroes and Daemons . And herein was there an imitation of the worshippers of the true God , as may be gathered from Jer. 41. 5. There came certain men from Shechem , from Shiloh , and from Samaria , even fourscore men , having their beards shaven , and their clothes rent , and having cut themselves , with offerings and incense in their hand , to bring them to the house of the Lord . And because the Lord saw that this would be converted to Daemon-worship it was therefore perhaps forbidden in the above . quoted places of Leviticus , and Deut. 14. 1.

254. Dóth not Sperchios . ] A river in Thessalie , to which Peleus promised his son Achilles his hairs , if he returned safe from the Trojan war. Maturantius saith , It was a custom to offer the hair of Youths to the gods of Rivers , because moisture is the cause of encrease . But I read of no such custom . I have rather given an understanding of this in the precedent Note , where I shewed , that the cutting off of hair was a sacred ceremony , performed to Heroes or Daemons . And no River antiently being thought to be without a Deity , Peleus vowed the hairs of Achilles to Sperchios , that is , he promised he should be worshipped by him with the performance of that Daemon-rite . And these words of Achilles , which Homer Il. ψ ' . maketh Achilles speak over the body of his dear Patroclus , shew , that Peleus had built Temples to Sperchios . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . In vain , Sperchios , Peleus vow'd to thee At my return to Greece these Locks from me , Besides a Hecatomb , should then be paid , And on thine altars fifty Weathers laid , Near to those fountains where thy Temple 's rais'd , And odors on thy fragrant altars blaz'd . So Peleus vow'd . But he 's unsatisfied . And since my Country I am now deni'd For ever , these hairs to the Stygian shade In my Patroclus hand shall be convey'd . This said , in his friends hand his hair he press'd , Whilst every one affected grief express'd . Alexander ab Alexandro lib. 5. cap. 25. saith , This Ceremony was performed by the Delian Youths and Maids , over the Hyperborean Virgins , the Men laying their hair on the Sepulchers , the Virgins upon the Tombs . And lib. 3. cap. 7. that it was used by the Barbarians , not onely in funerals , but in any great adversity ; and that the Persians at funerals non tantum seipsos sed & equos & jumenta tondebant : But , that the Romans and the Greeks were wont for expressing their grief , to let their hair grow , and onely their women to shave theirs . Hence it appeareth , that the Antients thought it the greatest expression of grief to take away those Ornaments , which they preserved in conditions of better satisfaction That which he saith of the Greeks , is to be understood of the later Greeks , who , by letting their hair grow long , did expresse an alteration from content : And because that could be no expression in women , they still retained the old custom of cutting off their hair . In these later times , it hath been usuall to neglect our selves , when the World or Fortune have feemed unkind to us , letting our hair grow to rudenesse and undecency , quitting vanity upon no other cause but misfortune , nor ceasing to care for our selves , till Fortune appear carelesse of us .

30 Lucina ] Juno and Lucina are taken for the same , Macrob. Saturn . l. 1. c. 15. And Alexander ab Alex. lib. 6. c. 4. giveth Juno the name of Lucina , and Opigena , quod parturientibus opem ferat . Therefore haply was she held the goddesse of Marriage . Virg. Aen. 4. 59. Junoni ante omnes , cui vinc'la jugalia curae . — and Juno most of all , Propitious to the marriage-thrall . And after , ver. 166. — et pronuba Juno . But the confusion of the names of the Heathen gods I will not here stand upon , having spoken something thereof else where . The etymology of Lucina Ovid thus delivereth , Fastor . l. 2. — dedit haec tibi nomina Lucus ; Aut quia principium tu , dea , lucis habes . Parce , precor , gravidis , facilis Lucina , puellis , Maturumque utero molliter aufer onus . From sacred groves they thee Lucina call ; Or else because thou givest light to all . Spare , kindest goddesse , every teeming Maid , And gently too their fruitfull wombs unlade . Mr. Selden Syntagm . de Astoreth , condemneth those who seek the etymology of 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , that is , Lucina , from the Greek ; and he deriveth it from the Arabick word Alileth , which signifieth Night . The Hebrews also from Lailah , that is , Night , called this goddesse Lilith , which may be rendred Noctiluca , or Nocturnus daemon . To keep this Daemon away from women in travell , the Jews at this day are wont to write this charm on the walls of the chambers where they are , ADAM , CHAVAH , CHUTZ , LILITH ; Be far hence , Lilith . Perhaps the Moon was adored by women in that condition , by reason that it maketh their labours easier when it is at the full . Ier. 7. 18. she is called the Queen of heaven : The women knead their dough to make cakes to the Queen of heaven . Some testimony of that custom remaineth in these days , cakes being still commonly made at such times , and the children themselves being called by the name of Cake-bread .

The Fourth BOOK .

The Argument . The Grecians at the last Achilles find , Who is betray'd to what the fates design'd . Fair Deidamia mourns her Love with tears ; Whose theft had more of joy , though more of fears . ULysses now through the Aegean seas Chang'd , as he pass'd , the scattered Cyclades . Olearos and Paros hid , they by Lomnos next sail , and lessen as they flye The Isle of Naxos : Samos bigger grew , And Delos made the Ocean lesse in view . Here they with offerings did the God implore , For to confirm what Calchas told before . Apollo heard . From Cynthus-top kind gales Ended their doubts , and stretch'd their swelling sails . Their ship in safety rode . For Jove forbid Thetis to strive to hinder what Fate did ; Who griev'd she could not , being so confin'd , On loath'd Ulysses throw waves swell'd with wind . Now Phoebus near his journeye's end arrives , And to the waves his sweating Horses drives , When Scyros shew'd . Ulysses bids them all Furl up their sails , ( At his Command they fall ) And with united strength to reach the shores : The sinking wind , the Youths supply with Oars . Now all perceiv'd that Scyros they had found , And saw the shore with Pallas Temple crown'd . Leaving their Ship , the Heroes went on shore , And there the kind Tritonia they adore : When wise Ulysses , l●st the City might At sight of all his Troup receive affright , Commands them all within the ship to stay , Whilst they alone attempt the rocky way . But Abas , that kept watch , had told before Of strangers , though all Grecians , on the shore . Like Wolves the Heroes went , who although prone To ease their young ones hunger , and their owne . Yet on they slily creep , dissembling want , Lest dogs should make their Masters vigilant ; so slow , they took the nearest way that bent Towards the gates , discoursing as they went . Tydides first began ; How we should find This truth , is alway running in my mind . Why were these Thyrsi and these Timbrels bought ? Why Mitres , Drums , and gilded Stags-skins brought Hither with us ? Must these soft things employ , And arm Achilles for the War of Troy ? To him Ulysses smiling said , To thee Let this suffice : If that Achilles be Under a V●rgin's habit here conceal'd , By these fond Toyes , thou ' lt see the Youth reveal'd . In these attempts let this alone be thine , To bring the things when 't is a fitting time . And joyn to these the fairest painted shield , On which the Gold doth radiant lustre yield . This shall suffice . But let Agyrtes too His Trumpet bring , to help what we must do . Then seeing to the Gates the King was come , Shewing an Olive branch , he thus begun . I do believe that Fame hath fill'd your ears , Best Prince , with Europe's and with Asia's fears , Preparing war. If you our names would know , On whom great Agamemnon did bestow This trust , Hee 's Diomed , who hath giv'n Fame The bravest tales ; Ulysses is my name . To tell the cause I come I need not fear , Since you 're a Greek , in friendship tooso clear , T is that in safety we may still employ Our ships this way against injurious Troy ; The King thus stops his speech , May ye still find In all ye do the Gods and Fortune kind . But now let me be honour'd by your stay Within my Court. This said , he leads the way . The Tables straight were spread , the Beds laid out , In the mean time Ulysses sought about If any Virgin , of too large a size , Might give suspition to his doubting eyes , Thus roam'd he round the house . So every way Through fields the Huntsman his undoubted prey , Trails with Molossian hounds , till in the shade He finds the Beast , his head on cool Turfs laid . By this the news was to the Virgins got , How that a Ship had Grecian Princes brought . They all expresse their sexes fears , besides Aeacides , who scarce his new joy hides , Greedy to see the Greeks . The room with guests Was fill'd , who on rich Beds receiv'd their feasts . The Princesses came , sent for by the King , Like those fair Amazonians that did bring Their Tropheys with them by Maeotis , round With Scythian and with Getan conquests crown'd , ( Whose ruin'd walls in their own ashes lie ) Now seated at their feasts , their Armes laid by . Then straight Ulysses with his busie eyes Observ'd them all . But night , that great disguise , Deni'd the Heros should be quite reveal'd , Whom lying on the bed the boord conceal'd ; Yet * * To Diomed . to his friend , he shew'd his wandering eye , How unconfin'd by Laws of modesty . For had not kind Deidamia's care compell'd His temper , and his arms from moving held , And with his veil , his mighty shoulders hid , And naked breast , the full bowls too forbid . And on his head , settled his tottering Crown , Achilles then had to the Greeks been known . Three courses now had satiated their souls , When thus , inviting them to crowned bowls , The King began , The glory of your deeds , I do confesse , in my breast envy breeds . I wish I were now with that Youth inflam'd , Wherewith the Dolopes on these shores I tam'd : As tokens of which victory , their torn And shattered ships do still our walls adorn . Had but kind Nature , made my children men , To serve you now , my joyes had perfect been . You see old age's witnesse on mine head , And these soft pledges of my marriage-bed , When shall the wish'd-for issues from these come ? Ulysses catching at these words begun . Thy wish is just . For who would not have fled To see such swarms , by troops of Princes led ? Th' united strength , that Europe now affords All sworn to just revenge upon their swords . Cities are empti'd , mountains naked show , Sails without number on the Oceanthrow A darkning shade : Fathers deliver arms To the inflamed Youths , who rush in swarms . Fame for attempting-spirits ne're did yield So fair an object in so just a field ; Whilst thus he spake , he saw how the Youth's ears Drank up his words , the rest expressing fears : Then thus proceeds , Who'ere proud in the name Of Ancestors , or in his Nation 's fame , Who manageth his Horse , or else can throw His dart with fatall aim , or use his bow ; Here all their aemulating deeds are paid , Virgins and fearfull women scarce are staid . But that basewretch , who this brave action fears , Hated by Heav'n , shall spend his fruitlesse years . At this how the Youth mov'd , Deidamia's eyes ▪ Soon found , and gave her sisters signes to rise , Leading him forth . Yet he departed last , And still his eyes upon Ulysses cast . Who having paus'd a little , thus again Assum'd his speech , May you , best King , remain In peace , providing marriage-beds for these , Whose heav'nly beauties equall Deities . How much their looks amaze , in which doth shine Mingled with beauty something masculine ! The King replies , If now their looks invites , What would it do at Bacchanalian rites , Or circling Pallas shrines ? This shall appear , If the kind crossing winds detain you here ; At this new hope , their silent wishes bless'd , With haste accepting it . The Court in rest Was now laid free from cares ; only the night To wise Ulysses seem'd too slow of flight . The morning scarce appear'd , when Diomed , Bringing the gifts , with him Agyrtes led ; The Scyrian Virgins too rose with the day , Unto their guests the promis'd rites to pay . Before the rest , Achilles with the Queen Appears . Pallas and Cynthia so were seen , With the Elysian King 's lov'd Proferpine , By Aetna's rocks among the Nymphs to shine . Now they began to move in measur'd time , And from th' Ismenian pipe they took the signe . Four times the stroakes on Rhea's brasse rebound , As many times the Evian Timbrels sound . Four times their measures chang'd : at once they threw Their spears all up , which fell together too . Now they like the Curetes all advance , Then they present the Samothracian dance : Now all do side like Amazons , then all Into Lacaenian circling figures fall . Achilles now most plain appears , and stands Neglecting the just time of joyning hands , Scorns the soft measures , and to be so dress'd , Forgets his part , disturbing all the rest . Afflicted Thebes saw Pentheus thus despise His mother's tymbrels and the sacrifice . The praised Chorus from their sacred sport Were now dismiss'd , and all return'd to th' Court : Whither the gifts Tydides had convey'd , And all before their eyes in order laid . With these they seem their welcome to requite , And every one unto her choice invite . The King consents , too innocent to find The Greeks , and what Ulysses had design'd . They ( by their nature to such choice apply'd ) The Thyrsus took , or else the Tymbrell tri'd , Or Jewels chose . The shining Arms they view , And thought them presents for their father too . But fierce Aeacides , still kept his sight Upon the Shield , as if prepar'd to fight . His face with fiery blushes grew inflam'd ; Then to the warlike spear his eyes were chain'd . His brows in furrows knit , his staring hairs Grew stiffe , and he forgat his Mothers cares . With his owne Love : Nothing durst then employ His high-erected thoughts but War and Troy . So from the teat , when a young Lion's brought , And against nature an obedience taught , Nor is an anger of his own express'd : But if the shining steel threaten his breast , His faith then flies ; he makes his Lord his prey , Scorning a fearfull Master to obey . But when he nearer came , and in the bright - Reflecting shield , saw the contemned sight How he was cloth'd , then his fierce looks proclaim In his inflamed blushes rage and shame . Then slie Ulysses coming to him , said With a low voice , Why are we thus delay'd ? We know where thou wert bred , how thou dost spring Both from the Ocean's God and Heaven's King . For thee the Grecians doubting-Army calls , And at thy name Troy shakes her nodding walls . Let Ida shrink , and please thy Fathers ears , Who blusheth at thy crafty Mother's fears ; At this , his garments from his breast were cast , Agyrtes straight gave the commanded blast . Throwing their gifts away , the Virgins run For shelter , and believ'd a War begun . His robes untouch'd , fell down at the alarm , Snatching the spear and shield upon his arm . He taller far then Ithacus appears , Or Diomedes . Swift dispersing fears , Fill the affrighted Court , whilst in his gate He seem'd now seeking to be Hector's fate . The fair troup the Peleian Virgin seeks , At whose discovery Deidamia shreeks . Whose well known voice , no sooner fill'd his breast , But Love began to plead his interest . His shield sunk down , and on the King his eyes Fixing , amaz'd at all these prodigies , He still thus arm'd to Lycomedes said , 'T is I , dear Father , ( be not now afraid ) Whom the immortall Thetis bore . To you This glory to oblige the Greeks is due , In giving them Achilles . Thou shalt be ( If it be just to say ) dearer to me Then Peleus or lov'd Chiron . Yet attend These words with kindnesse , and attention lend : Peleus and Thetis adde a child to thee By either side sprung from a Deity . They do require one of these Virgins here . Dost thou agree ? or else do I appear Degenerate from them ? Our hands then joyn With free consent , and pardon those are thine , With thy Deidamia 's rape . Who can restrain These limbs attempting to appease their flame ? If thou ' lt revenge , to me it is onely due , See how I wait it thus unarmed too . Why do thy angry eyes so madly run ? Thou art a Father-in-law . Then throws his son Before his feet , and then again proceeds , By this a Grand-father . New rigour needs More then such troups to punish . Th' Greeks with him Joyn all their reasons to appease the King . He with his daughter's injury though press'd , And with the words of Thetis still possess'd , And loth to break his trust , yet fears to stay The Grecian War , and Fate 's designs delay . His Mother now , if there , in vain might use Her power : Nor could he such a son refuse . Thus he was vanquish'd ; When yet full of fears The fair Deidamia , blushing still , appears ; She could not think her Father yet was made So kind , the crime upon Achilles laid . The news of all to Thessaly he convaid , And to his friends and subjects sends for aid . The King for his new Son , two ships prepares , And blames his power short for such affairs . The day was spent in feasts ; the Lovers ty'd In Hymen's knot : The gentle night comply'd Now to their bold embraces . He in dreams Fancy's the war , Xanthus and Ida's streams . The Grecian ships ; whilst unto her a fright The thought of waves did give , or morning's light . About her Lovers neck her arms she spred , And mingled with her tears these words she shed . Shall I e're see thee more , and thus remain ? May we be worth thy visit once again ? Will not Troy's ruine , your swel'd mind forbid To think where you were like a Virgin hid ? Ought I to beg , or onely to have fears ? Should I use words , that scarce have time for tears ? Is this our nuptiall bed's designed right , To be bestow'd and ravish'd in one night ? Is this free Hymen ? O thou kinder theft ! What we have leave to love , must thus be left . Go , go : I dare not ask thee to remain , Go then ; Yet think not Thetis fear'd in vain . Go , and return again to me , but mine I wish too much . Those charming eyes of thine , Will give such passion to Troy's beauteous Dames , They they 'l forget their Country 's for thy flames . Perhaps on Helena , thou 'lt be inflam'd , Whose beauty by her rape is so much fam'd ; Whilst I shall ne're be mention'd to be thine , Or made the subject of thy youthfull crime . But yet , why should not I still go with thee , And bear thine ensigne ? Thou hast born with me The distaff , and the arms of Bacchus too ; Which Troy will hardly credit you did do . Your Image though , the comfort of my breast , Never forget ; nor yet this one request . Let not a barbarous Love enjoy my place , And bring to Thetis an unworthy race ; This said , the shaken Youth comforts her fears , Swears her his faith , and seals it with his tears : And promiseth she should alone enjoy The Captives , and the wealth of ruin'd Troy . His fruitlesse words thus strove to ease her care , And his vain promise lost it self in air .

ANNOTATIONS on the IV Book of STATIUS his ACHILLEIS .

3. PAros . ] One of the Cyclades , famous for clear Marble .

5. Naxos . ] Another of the Cyclades , sacred to Bacchus , who is said to have been here nourished . Here , they say , Ariadne was married to Bacchus , haply because being here forsaken by ungratefull Theseus , she here found a remedy , at least an end of her miseries . Bacchus , from his easing of cares , received the names of Liber and Lyaeus , and from his pitty , of Eleleus , from 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Misericordia . But this I conceive rather commeth from 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , clamo , and hath relation to his rites .

Samos . ] An● sland famous for the birth of Pythagoras . There be three Islands of this name : One but a little distant from the Continent of Asia , an Ionick Island , having a City of the same name , Strab. lib. 14. Here Juno lived whilst a Virgin : whence the Island was called Parthenia . Another , not far from the Bay of Ambracia . The third , in the Aegean sea , over against the mouth of the Thracian River Hebrus , Plin. lib. 4. This is here meant .

24. Kind Tritonia . ] Pallas was ever kind to the Grecians , and the Trojans enemy . So Ovid , Aequa Venus Teucris , Pallas iniqua fuit . And Virgil Aen. 1. saith , that among other Pictures that Aeneas saw at Carthage , one was of Trojan women going to the Temple , non-aequae Palladis , of unjust , or ungentle , Pallas . And Aen. 2. Omnis spes Danaûm , & coepti fiducia belli , Palladis auxiliis semper stetit . All the Greeks hopes and confidence which chose Th' attempted war , from Pallas helps arose . Her particular kindnesss to Diomedes Homer sheweth , Iliad 5. Servius in Aen. 2. saith , she was called Tritonia , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , to fear ; Pallas being commonly represented terrible with her Snakes . Or else she was called so , in relation to the three concerns of Wisdom , Memory of things past , Judgment in things present , and Providence for things to come . Or she had this name from a River , as Lucan there cited , Etse dilectâ Tritonida dixit ab unda . She was called Trigemina by the Aegyptians , Alexand. ab Alex. l. 6. c. 4. the same perhaps with 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , and 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , from 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . which in the Cretian Language signifieth a Head .

85 Maeotis . ] A Lake of Scythia , receiving the River Tanais , with many others , and divided from the Euxine Sea by the Cimmerian Bosphorus .

86. With Scythian and with Getan conquests . ] Scythia was divided into two parts , the European , and the Asiatick . The European from the banks of Tana's , by the shores of Maeotis , and the Euxine Sea , reacheth to the mouth of Ister . The Asiatick from the opposite shore extendeth to the East , and is bounded by the Ocean on the North , and by the mountain Taurus on the South . The Getae were a People of Scythia Europaea , called Dacians , as Britannicus affirmeth , and Plinie l 4 c. 12. But Strabo lib. 7. placeth the Getans towards Pontus and the East , but the Dacians towards Germany . The Getae were famous , or rather infamous , for cruelty . So Ovid , Nulla Getis toto gens est truculentior orbe . One of their cruell customs was , to kill the wife , that by her death they might appease the ghost of the husband , Alex. ab Alex. lib. y. c. 26.

102. Inviting them to crowned bowls . ] It was a custom observed by the Antients , especially at their Entertainments , to drink freely after their feasts , Virg. Aen. 1. Postquam prima quies epulis , mens●que remotae , Crater as magnos statuunt , & vina co●enant . The first Feast ended , on the tables shine The weighty bowls , crown'd still with sparkling wine . At the beginning , small glasses went about , but at the end they enlarged their draughts , Alex. ab Alex. lib. 5. cap. 21. The Greeks had a Law , ut biberent , aut abirent . How Anacreon liked this custom of drinking , appeareth from this Ode of his concerning himself , H. Stephano interprete .

Vt me subit Lyaeus , Tune cura dormit omnis , Croesumque sperno prae me . Dulcis repente nostro Erumpit ore cantus : Hederâ comasque cingens Proculco mente cuncta . Ad arma currat alter , Ad pocula ipse curram . Puer , ocyùs scyphum da : Nam praestat ebrium me Quàm mortuum jacere . When powerfull Bacchus rules my breast , Then I am from all cares releas'd : Scorn'd Croessus too seems poor to me , Whilst charming Lays take liberty Through my melodious lips , and round My brows with winding lvy crown'd , Contemning all things in my mind . Some are for war and arms design'd ; But the crown'd bowls do fill my head : 'T is better to lie drunck than dead .

106. The Dolopes ] A People on the borders of Thessalie , overcome , as it seemeth , by Lycomedes in a Sea-battle . See Servius in Aen. 2. vers. 7.

162. Ismenian pipe . ] Ismenus is a River of Boeotia , not far from Aulis , where the Greeks made their great Rendez-vous . In this Country stood Thebes , where Bacchus was much worshipped : For which City , Statius here putteth the River Ismenus . A liberty frequently taken by the Poets . So Achaia and Pelasgia , being but Regions of Greece , are commonly put for Greece it self . There is also a Hill of this name by Thebes , whence Apollo was called Ismsnius . Plutarch in Pericle speaketh of a Trumpeter of this name , of whom Antisthenes , Si probus esset , tibicen non esset .

163. Rhea's Brasse . ] Rhea was held the mother of the gods ; Who had divers other names set down by Alexander ab Alexandro lib. 6. c. 4. She was Saturn's wife , and taken for the Earth : The reason whereof see on Book III. vers. 220. Alexander ab Alex. lib. 3. c. 12. saith , A Sow , which was called Praecidanea , was offered to Ceres , or Rhea , because ( as some conceive ) a Sow , being a fruitfull creature , was thought a fit Present for the Earth , which was understood by Ceres . But I rather chuse the reason of Servius in Georg. 2. where he observeth , that the sacrifices to the gods were all performed , either by similitudes or contrarieties : By Similitude , as a black Beast to Pluto : By Contraries , as a Sow to Ceres , because an enemy to Fruits ; a Goat to Bacchus , because an enemy to Vines . This Agellius l 4. c. 6. seems to confirm , where explaining the word Praecidanea , he addeth , Porca etiam Praecidanea appellata , quam piacul● gratiâ ante fruges novas captas immolari Cereri mos fuit ; that is , A Sow was called Praecidanea , or a preceding sacrifice , by reason that it was a custom to offer one to Ceres before harvest . Rhea was commonly represented with Towers upon her head , and drawn by Lions . And hereby the Earth is signified . Which Macrobius Saturn . l. 1. c. 21. affirming , addeth also , Haec dea Leonibus vehitur , validis impetu atque fervore animalibus . Quae natura Coeli est , cujus ambit● Aer continetur , qui vehit terram ; that is , This goddesse is drawn by Lions , creatures of great strength force and fervour : Which is the nature of the Heaven , in whose compass the Aire is contained , which carrieth the Earth . On which words Pontanus citeth these Verses of Lucretius ; Hanc veteres Graiûm docti cecinêre Poetae Sublimem in curru bijuges agitare Leones , Aeris in spatio magnam pendere docentes Tellurem ; neque posse in terra sistere terram . The learn'd and antient Grecian Poets sung , This goddesse was by Lions drawn along ; Teaching that round the resting Earth is laid In Aire : for Earth by Earth could not be staid . A Philosophy contrary to that which is now received . This goddesse's Priests were called Galli , from Gallus , a River of Phrygia ; and Corybantes , which some derive from 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , which signifieth to tosse the head in any violent motion : Which frantick action they used in their mad ceremonies . But Turnebus Advers. lib. 13. c. 24. understandeth the word otherwise . Their rites set down by Clemens Alexandrinus Protrept . and repeated by Eusebius , de Praepar . Evang. l. 2. c. 3. little differed from those of Bacchus , altered onely by the fancy and interest of severall people And all the worship that we read to have been performed to severall gods , was no other , than that which from the beginning of the world was taught by Daemons .

175. Afflicted Thebes saw Pentheus . ] Pentheus was killed by his zelous mother Agave , and other frantick women , for contemning their Bacchanalia . Natalis Comes , lib. 5. cap. 13. thinketh Pentheus was some just and temperate Prince , who striving to suppresse those rude ceremonies , was murdered by his displeased subjects .

The Fifth BOOK .

The Argument . For fatall Troy Aeacides now goes : And as they sail , he from Ulysses knows The wars originall ; which having known , Desir'd , he payes the story with his own . NIght's shadowes now began to flye away , When from the waves , the Ruler of the day Began to spread the promises of light , Yet injur'd by the strugling shades of night . When now Aeacides , ( his soft robes scorn'd ) Appears in his first courted arms adorn'd . For now the winds invited . Now no more Durst they remember how he liv'd before . So chang'd , as if he were not now the same That liv'd in Scyros , but from Pelion came . Then , as they us'd , Ulysses did advise To offer to the Ocean Deities . To Neptune on the flames a bull was laid , To Thetis an adorned heifer paid . Achilles having then the entrails flung Into the briny waves , he thus begun . I have obey'd thee , Mother , though 't was such A hard command : I have obey'd too much . Now with the Greeks , I go fam'd Troy to find , This said , into a snip he leapt . The wind Drove them from shore : the clouds still thicker grew , And Scyros lessen'd to their hindred view . The whilst Deidamia on a Tower appears , Accompany'd with her sad Sisters tears , Holding young Pyrrhus . Still the waves she view'd , And that which bore him with fond eyes pursu'd . He too his looks sends to th' affected walls And widow'd house ; then with a sigh recalls What he had left : His fire burns again , And his great thoughts give way unto his flame . Ulysses guess'd his passion by his grief , And sought by this diversion his relief ; Wert thou , ( to whom the fate of Troy is due , Whom Oracles and Grecians call for too And war within the open threshold stay'd ) Dress'd by thy crafty Mother like a maid ? Could she herself to all be so unjust , To act such theft , and yet expect a trust ? Her fears were much too great in all she did , Should so much virtue in a shade be hid . Which at the Trumpet 's summons , freed thy breast From thought of friends , and thy lov'd flames suppress'd ? Nor is this glory to our selves assign'd , To bring thee now : It was above design'd . Aeacides reply'd , Too long't would be To tell my Mothers crimes . This sword for me , And my disguise shall at a handsome rate , Plead and excuse , though 't were the guilt of Fate . You rather , whilst sost Zephyrus conspires With the smooth Ocean calm'd to our desires , Relate , why Greece thus for revenge prepares , That my resent may be as just as theirs . Slie Ithacus repli'd , If that we may Give credit to the tales of Fame , they say ; Once on th' Hectorean shore , three goodly fair Dissenting Goddesses had equall care . For their disputed beauties : And all three Agree'd the Trojan Swain , their Judge should be . Sowre Pallas pleas'd not his deciding eyes , Nor the immortall Mistresse of the skies : Onely fair Venus looks his mind inclin'd , This strife arose when first the Gods design'd Peleus for Thetis , and their happy seed , Thy glorious self , was for our aid decreed . The vanquish'd Goddesses hid passion fires : The Judge his fatall recompense requires ; Straight sees in Sparta his admired Love ; Then fells the holy shades , and Cybele's grove Falls on the earth , and the forbidden Pine , Though sacred , must assist his foul designe . His ships , now built , do through the Ocean passe To the Achaian shore . His crime , alas ! The injury on potent Europe leaves , Which first the stained marriage-bed receives Of Menelaus , when he his ravish't joy , Helen , with captive Argos bears to Troy . The news through every City Rumour flung , And to their arms the willing Grecians throng . For who can bear at so unjust a rate , Stains on a marriage-bed , with such deceit ? Plunder of grain , or cattell , cause affords To men of valour , to employ their swords . Agenor brook'd not such a rape , when Jove Had through the waves born his affected Love ; But sought Europa , when the fact was done , Scorning the God of Thunder for his son . Aeetes so follow'd his child's escape , Though Semi-gods were guilty of the rape ; Yet he pursu'd the ravishers with War , And that fam'd ship , in Heaven now a Star . Shall we endure these Phrygians , but half-men Seeking upon our shores their plunders then ? Are we grown bankrupt and unarmed thus ? Or will the waves be lesser friends to us ? What now , if from the Scyrian shores should flie Unto thine ears , thy lov'd Deidamia 's cry , Ravish'd by some , and calling on thy name ? With that unto his sword his fingers came , And 's face with angry blushes grew enflam'd , Ulysses then in silence pleas'd remain'd . Then Diomede succeeding him begun , Thou worthy Issue from a Godhead sprung , Tell thy admiring friends , from thy first age , What practice did thy youthfull thoughts engage ; The wayes to virtue taught by Chiron too , And how thy limbs and mind enlarged grew . Let this requite our seeking Scyros shores , Through tedious waves , and plying of the Oars : You need not be asham'd to tell your deeds . At this he blushing , as compell'd , proceeds ; When Chiron first receiv'd me to his cave , The food which to my tender years he gave , I 've heard was much unus'd . For from the breast My hunger with soft milk was ne're suppress'd , But with firm flesh of Lions ; and I suck'd The marrow from wild Beasts yet-dying pluck'd . This was my first chear : Chiron bred me so , Till Time with larger stricles taught me to go . He led me then to th' Woods , without amaze , Teaching mine eyes upon wild beasts to gaze , And not to fear the noise which billows made On Rocks , nor th' horrid silence of a shade . I now a quiver got , and with a spear To arm my youthfull hand was all my care . As unconcern'd , I suffer'd the extreams , Of binding cold and Sol's reflecting beams . My tired limbs , a soft bed never press'd : I with my Master on astone took rest . When now almost to twice six years I came , He taught me to pursue the swiftest game . And the fierce Lapithae ; and when I threw My darts , to overtake them . Sometimes too , Chiron would follow me through fields and plains , Till age deni'd ; and tired with my pains , Would lay me on his neck . He made me bold To passe the frozen Rivers bound with cold . These were my youthfull sports . Why should I need To tell my warres , i' th' woods from roars now freed ? He taught me , not to hunt those beasts whose fear Urg'd their swift flight , the Lynx , and fallow Deer ; But force the Bear to her affrighting roars , The cruell Tigres , and the foming Boars . Or from the mountains fetch the Lions young ; Whilst in his cave he look'd to see me come Bloody ; Nor took me in his arms before He saw my spear colour'd with blushing gone . And now my Age , and Chiron , did designe My arms for nobler Wars . All discipline Of Mars I us'd . I practic'd how to throw The Macedonian pile : I learnt to know The use , as Sauromatians do , of spears ; Or Getans , of their crooked semitars : And how the fam'd Gelonians use the bow , And how the Balearian slingers throw ▪ With sounerring aims the circling slings , Which wound as sure and oft as motion flings . I scarce remember all . I learn'd the art To leap vast dikes , whose banks were far apart ; And the high tops of airy hills to gain , To get me breath and swiftnesse for the plain . Then , the true image of a fight to yield , He made me take huge milstones on my shield ; To enter burning hovells , and with force And speed , to stay swift Horses in their course . Once I remember , how dissolved snow , And constant showres had swell'd Sperchios so , That with its furious stream it drove a throng Of torn-up Trees , and rowling stones-along : Then where the waves , the horrid'st force express'd , He bad me to oppose my youthfull breast , And stop the swelling billows as they run ; Which he with all his feet could scarce have done . Nor could th' impetuous stream a conquest gain , Whilst Chiron threatned , urging still my shame . Thus glory I attain'd by his command , Who still a witnesse of my toils did stand . To fight with arm'd fists , and th' Oebalian stone To throw and wrestle with oil'd limbs , alone Were sports , nor seem'd more toils then when I took my harp , and sung of famous men . He taught me too , which herbs for health were good , And which would stop effusion of much blood . Which would close wounds , and which procure kind rest , How gangrain'd parts to sever from the rest . What ulcers herbs would care . He also taught Still to make Justice guide of every thought . Thus the Thessalians he made happy still , And thus he wrought his Centaurs to his will . Y●ave heard , my friends , those acts that did employ My early years : These I recount with joy . The rest my Mother knows . Thus he gave o're His tale , and came unto the Trojanshore .

ANNOTATIONS on the 5th Book of STATIVS his ACHILLEIS .

13. A Bull. ] This was the usuall sacrifice to Neptune . Yet Ovid , Metam . 4. when Andromeda was freed , saith , A Bull was offered to Jupiter . And Silius Italicus , lib. 15. — cadit ardua Taurus Victima , Neptuno pariter , pariterque Tonanti . And Virgil , Aen. 3. Caelicolûm Regi mactabim in littore Taurum . — upon the shore To Heaven's King a Bull I slew — On which place Servius saith , that Aeneas did this contrary to reason , in relation to the event , a Bull being the sacrifice of Neptune ; resembling the roughnesse of the waves , and the nature of Neptune , and other Sea-gods , as ungentle as the waves that bred them : as Agellius l. 15. c. 2. Ferocissimos & immanes & alienos ab omni humanitate Neptuni filios dixerunt ; that is , Neptune's sons were said to be most fierce and ungentle , and strangers to all humanity . See Macrobius , l. 3. c. 10.

15 , 16. Having then the entralls flung Into the briny waves ] This manner of throwing the entralls into the Sea , when sacrifice was performed to the Sea-gods , Virgil setteth down , Aen. 5.

Dii quibus imperium pelági , quorum ●quora curro , Vob is laetus ego hoe candentem in littore taurum Constituam ante aras voti re●s , exteq●e salsos Porriciam in fluctus . You gods whose empire in the Ocean lies , Over whose waves I sail ; this sacrifice , A 〈◊〉 Bull as due to you I pay — And in the briny waves the entralls lay .

For in a sacrifices the entralls were a thief part of the ledication ; as Juvenal , Sat. 10.

Ut tamen & poscas aliquid , voveasqae sacellis Ext● , & candid●●● divina t●macul ● porci . That thou maist something wish , and at the shrine Offer the sacred entralls of white Swine .

This ceremony of throwing the entralls into the Sea , was , because Neptune , to whom the sacrifice was offered , there reigned . Suetonius in Augusto hath these words , ●uneiata repentè hostis incursione , 〈◊〉 capta faco prosacuit ; alque it a praelium ingressus , victor rediit ; that is , Hearing of the incursion of the enemy , he cut off the entralls half-raw , snatched from the fire ; and so going cut to Battle he returned victorious . On which words , Salmasius , Partem extorum prosecandam & Diis porriciendam arae super-imponebant & diis adolehant ; They laid that part of the entralls on the Altar that was to be cut off , and sacrificed it to the gods . Reliquam partem vescebantur qui sacrificio intererant . The rest was eaten by such as were present at the sacrifice . All the actions about the entralls , looking into them and examining them laying , them on the Altar , eating what is to be eaten , Arrianus compriseth under this one Verb 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . This custom , among others , which in the Notes I have given short hints of , was taken up by the Heathen in imitation of the true God's worship as will appear from Levit 1. 9 , 13. The inwards and the legs shall he wash in water , and the Priest shall burn all on the Altar . Of the Priests eating part of the sacrifice , see Levit. 2. 3. 10 and 6 26. Ecclus 7. 31. Likewise the baked and broiled meats ave●e the Priests , Lev. 7 9. Here imitated by the word semicruda . And we read but of few ceremonies among the antient Gentiles , that had not such a beginning .

35. War within the open threshold stai'd . ] The Poet meaneth the Temple of Janus , which in Peace was ever shut , and open in War . From Janus the gates of any private house were called Januae . The gates of Janus were shut but twice before the time of Augustus . Janum Quirinum semel atque iterum a condita Vrbe memorium ante suam clausum , in multò breviore temporis spatio , terrâ marique pace partâ , ter clusit , saith Suetonius , in Augusto , c. 22. That is , The Temple of Janus , from the beginning of the City , was but twice shut before the reign of Augustus ; but in his reign , in a much lesser space , he being at peace with all the world , it was thrice shut . The first time it was shut was in the reign of Numa Pompilius ; The second , when T. Manlius Torquatus , and Attilius Balbus were Consuls : but it was opened again ( as many say ) the same year , and so continued till Augustus . Perhaps Rome's not enjoying peace was not the least cause of its prosperity . For in troublous times , mens endeavours commonly are united for the publick safety , but pursue private interests in times of peace and idlenesse ; so hard it is to make true advantage of God's greatest blessings . Augustus first shut Janus his Temple , Anno ab V. C. DXXV after the overthrow of Antonie ; Himself the fifth time , and Sextus Apuleius being Consuls . Four years after he shut it the second time , M. Junius Silanus being Consul with him . The third time he shut it was about the time of our Saviour CHRIST , the Prince of peace . The next time we read of its being shut , was , when Nero , and Valerius Messala , were Consuls , Anno V. C. DCCCXI . which Tacitus and Orosius reckon not , because Nero shut it upon no just grounds . So Suetonius in his life , Janum geminum clausit tam nullo quam residuo bello ; which ●aernus readeth , Tanquam nullo residuo bello : that is , He shut the Temple of Janus , as if there were no signes of war remaining . The seventh time it was shut ( or , more truly , the sixth time ) was , Anno V. C. DCCCXXIV . Vespasian and Nerva being Consuls . After this time , Historians say nothing concerning the gates of this Temple . Yet Capitolinus in Gordino Juniore , affirmeth , that the custom still remained . Alexander ab Alexandro lib. 1. c. 14. conceiveth the reason , why Janus his Temple was the testimony of peace and war , was , his being the President of the revolutions of times ; so his Statue intimated , having on its hands the number of the days of the year figured . As he was figured with two faces , so he had also two gates , one toward the East , the other toward the West . These Macrobius , Saturn . l. 1. c. 9. useth for arguments , to prove Ianus the same with the Sun , according to his designe . But I rather judge this arose from Saturn , ( by vvhom Time vvas meant ) his being perhaps all one vvith Ianus . But Macrobius cap. 7. believeth , Ianus's tvvo faces related to the prudence and care of a Prince , who looketh both on what is past , and also on what is to come . Ianus made Saturn partner with him in the Kingdom , for the benefit he received from his instructions about Husbandry : And after his death , in honour of him , and in memory of the ship which brought him to Italy , he caused the figure of a ship to be stamped on one side of his Coine , which on the other had his own Image . Hence came the Game , cùm pueri denarios in sublimi jactantes , CAPITA AUT NAVIA , lusu teste vetustatis , exclaman● ; which in our days still remaineth , being now called Crosse or Pile . Cap. 9 he telleth this originall story of the opening of Janus's gates in War ; When the War of the Sabines was in favour of their ravished Virgins , the Romans hastned to shut the gate at the foot of the Hi●● Viminalis , ( which from the event was after called lanualis ) by reason the enemy was rushing in that way . After it was shut , it straight opened again of its own accord . Which having hapned twice or thrice , they stood to defend it with Souldiers , because they could not shut it : when suddainly there came a report , that on another side of the City the Romans were bea●er by Tatius : At which , the Romans that defended this gate , affrighted fled . And when the Sabines were breaking in , it is said , that from the Temple of fanus a violent torrent of hot water issued , and overthrew the pressing enemy For this cause in war the gates were always set open , as it were in expectation of such help , and as representing the god himself going out to their assistance . And this no doubt proved very advantageous , for the encouragement of the common people , who are apt enough to believe any , that tell them of a god 's going out with them . To this purpose also , Servius relateth the story , in Aen. 1. and saith , the reason of Janus his being figured with two faces , was the confederacy of the two Princes , Romulus and Tatius . The best reason he giveth , as he thinketh himself , is , That those that go to war wish to return . But certainly he is unjust to himself , having before said , vel quòd ad bellum ituri debent de pace cogitare , that is , or because that those that are going to war ought to have their thoughts on peace .

55. Hectorean shore . ] That is , Trojane .

58. The Trojan Swain . ] Paris , so called , from his having been bred up among shepheards . See Annot. on Book 1 v. 33.

6 . So rose the strife , &c. ] For they fell out , when they were at the marriage of Peleus and Thetis , about a golden Apple cast among them by Discord .

73. Europe ] is here put for Greece .

83. When love , &c. ] love ravished Europa in the shape of a Bull. See Ovid Metam , lib. 2.

87. Aeetes . ] The father of Medea , who pursued the Argonauts that carried her away in the Ship Argo , which was after made a Constellation .

150 , The Macedonian Pile . ] See on Book 2. v. 6.

151. Sauromatians , ] a people of Scythia , commonly called Tartars .

152. Getans . ] See on Book 4. v. 86.

153 Gelonians , ] a people also of Scythia , so called from Gelonus the son of Hercules . They are now comprehended under the name of Tartars . They were wont to paint and discolour their faces , that they might appear the more terrible in Battle . Hence Virgil calleth them Pictos Gelonos , Geor. 2. They were famous Archers : Hence Horace , lib. 3. od. 4. calleth them pharetratos Gelonos : And Virgil Aen. 8. Sagittiferos Gelonos . They used , as the Massagetans , to drink Horses blood mingled with milk .

154. Balearian Slingers . ] The Baleares are two Islands belonging to Spain , commonly called Majorica and Minorica . Some hold , they received their name from Baleus , a companion of Hercules , there left by him . But rather they were so called 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , from Slinging : For the inhabitants were very skilfull in the use of the sling , and bred their children to it . When their children were hungry , they laid their victualls on a high beam , and they were to strike it off with a sling before they had it , Flor. l. 3. c. 8. and Alex. ab Alex. lib. 2. c. 25. The Greeks formerly called them Gymnes●aus , from their custom of going naked .

177. To fight-with armed fists . ] See on Book 1. v. 219.

Oebatian quoits . ] This was a weight with a ●ing in it , which they used to throw . At this Exercise Apollo killed his Beloved Hyacynthus . See Alexand. ab Alex. lib. 3. cap. 21.

178. And wrestle with oil'd limbs . ] I have shewed above ; why places of Exercises are called Gymnasia . Those that w●est●od were naked , and had their limbs annointed ! Thucydides , lib. 1. saith , The Lacedae monians first instituted Wrestling naked , with oyled limbs : but he there affirmeth , that the more antient custom was to wear Breeches . This exercise was in sueh esteem , that one that was excellent in it was valued as much as the bravest Souldier , Alex. ab Alex. l. 2. c. 25. For which reputation's sake , they used assiduous-practise before they came to the place : And then , as Clemens Alexandrinus lib. 7. Strom. reluteth , looking on the Starue of Iupiter , they made this prayer to him , If all things , O Iupiter , are rightly . performed by me for the Combat , give me the deserved Victory .

A PANEGYRICK to Generall MONCK . 'T Is not your pow'r , that has inspir'd my muse , T' were mean to praise that which you scorn to use . 'T is that above the reach of pow'r in you I praise , Victorious over Conquest too . Yet you more truly glorious will appear , To dispose Scepters , than you could to wear . For ravish'r Crowns are still another's due , But thus bestow'd , they are all ow'd to you . How much your Debtour is our Nation grown , People their freedome owe , the Prince his Throne . Brought from his barbarous exile to be Crown'd , And practice mercy that he never found . So when the * * Aeneas so described by Virg. lib. 1. Trojan Prince was almost lost In Storms , among ungentle billows tost , Displeased Neptune from the surges rose ; And storms of frowns among the tempests throws . At which the waves no longer durst aspire , But to obedient calmnesse all retire . At your approach , phanatique storms so shrink , And factious waves to seeming quiet sink . That * * Lambert . Wave which to the vastest swelling rose , Found destiny in attempting to oppose . Under your weight and principles they sunk , And his unto your brighter Genius shrunk . So common fires seem to be undone At the victorious shining of the Sun . He too that hated King's , just fate designes Should stoop to one sprung from a Prince's loins . Yet little does your birth share with your deeds , Your Godlike acts , your Princely face exceeds . Whilst you despise those long prevailing charms Of pow'r , ready with its open arms . So holy men , in heavenly firmnesse staid , Refus'd those honor's others would have paid ; T' was such a Temper only could have brought , That which we strongly hop't , and weakly sought . Such conquests as to mighty minds are due , Sought your embraces ; whilst alone for you So clearly victory it selfe declar'd , That neither common sword , nor fortune shar'd . Whilst we amaz'd your perfect conquest find , Wrought only by your conduct and your mind . Their pow'r and fates that you before you saw , Did not excite your thoughts , nor could they awe : You took no measure from their fates or them , Whilst pow'r and danger you alike contemn ; For their ambitions were not your designes , You did not fear their fates , but fear'd their crimes . Yet by degrees you mov'd , as after Night The Sun begins to shew the World its light . At whose approach , darknesse its place resignes , And though it seems to move not , yet it shines . So softly you began to spread your beams , Through all our factions dark in all extreams . And though at first , you scarce a motion show'd , Yet early glory from your actions flow'd . May you still shine , as now at your full height , Till you to greater glory passe through fate . You that a KING a Scepter gave to sway , And taught rebellious Subjects to obey ; FINIS .

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