Classic Poem

Canto the Fifth

With prosperous sails moved from Sardinia's shore,
Argalia safe doth now from danger set
'The Cyprian prince, who, though so large in score
With noble friendship, soon repays the debt.

In Sparta's court they're now arrived, where he
That life he saved ventures, to serve him in
An act so great — it sets the princess free,
Who for his sake had long a prisoner been.

Whilst with bent oars Argalia's squadrons move,
Like the light wings of Time's physician, Love,
Who steered his course, and now had safely drawn
Him through the Ionian waves, when by the dawn
Of a still morning, whose pale sickly light,
Yet bounded in the ebony of night,
Showed like a dull quicksilver foil spread o'er
The world's great glass, whose even surface bore
Within their view two galleons, whom they saw,
Like timorous hares base hunters give no law,
Chased by a nimble numerous fleet. Drawn near,
Christians the chased, the chasers Turks appear;
Which, like a shoal of smaller fishes made
So bold by number that they durst invade
The big bulked whale, on every side assails
The slow-paced fleet; who, since not strength prevails
Against such odds, their fiery spirits spent
In thunder, which had from their broadsides sent
The last great groan for power's decease, and they,
Not their foe's terror — but good fortune, lay.
Whilst cramped in this convulsion of their fear,
Which honor gilding, made despair appear
The child of fortitude, they all prepare
Bravely to die, Argalia's squadrons bear
Up with the wind; and ere the Turk's proud fleet,
Deceived by their own crescents, fear to meet,
A danger, like a hurricane, falls in
Destruction; which was suffered whilst unseen.
So wealthy merchants, whose returning cost
A storm on the pacific sea hath lost,
Fall from the arms of hope: sudden and swift
As inundations, whose impetuous drift
Swallows a sleeping city up, had they
Lost the firm hold of victory, and lay
Sad captives in their own lost ship — for flight
Saves few, where all in hopes of conquest fight.
Fair victory made more bright by accident,
(Even when despair hope's wasted stock had spent)
Those that were rescued from their soft prayers raise,
To pay Heaven's tribute in their louder praise;
Which oft neglected debt discharged, they gave,
Allayed with thanks, to him, whose hand did save —
A miracle in their delivery — all
Deserved applause, that can when mounted, fall
I' the circle of humanity. To kiss
Those hands which plucked him from the black abyss
Of death, their brave commander goes; where he
Discovered by majestic courtesy
Such real forms of worth, that he was grown
Rich in esteem before more fully known.
But long truth stands not veiled in a disguise
Of ignorance, ere they are taught to prize
His friendship at a higher rate, by seeing
Their active valour had been blest in freeing
The Cyprian prince; for such he was, and then
Bound for Morea. This made public, when
Acquaintance had taught love more boldness, he,
All that discretion would permit to be
Lodged in the closet of a friendly breast,
Tells to Argalia: who, though in his best
Of hopes a rival knowing him, was in
Love too secure to harbour envious sin.
Their prosperous fleet, ere Time's short steps had trod
In hours a full day's journey, safely rode
At anchor in Gerenza's bay; from whence,
When known, their cannons in a loud expense
Proclaim their welcome. The acquaintance that
The Cyprian's father, ere his youth staid at
Its summer solstice, with Cleander had,
Revives i' the son's embraces, which the glad
City i' the triumphs echoes, ere 'twas known
That his resolves were such — as love was grown
The wishes of the people's throng, who thought
That that unpolished prince Zoranza brought
Unequal strength of merit, ere to win
The fort Pharonnida lodged virtue in.
When first they entered the admiring court,
Fame (wise men's care, but the fools' busy sport)
Making the ear the eye's wise harbinger,
By learning first their virtues, did confer
More honor on their persons. They beheld
I' the Cyprian prince heroic worth, yet swelled
With no ambitious tumor; calm and free
As wholesome air, when its ubiquity
Breathes healthful blasts, were his smooth thoughts — to all
Most sweetly affable, but few could call
His love familiar; his youth had not
Yet learnt rough war, although from precept got
Its useful rudiments, and by valour shows —
Future command may pay what action owes
To speculation: by the grave sad man,
Whose counsel could conspiracies unspan
When ready to give fire, he is beheld
As one whose virtues far his years excelled,
And might, when at maturity, afford
Length to the sceptre from's victorious sword.
From this young prince, heaven's hopeful blossom, they,
Pleased but not satisfied, their souls convey
On those winged messengers — their eyes, unto
Manly Argalia; finding there a new
And various form of worth: — on 's brow did sit
Reserved discretion reconciled to wit;
Serious and grave his carriage, yet a face
Where Love's fair shrine did Wisdom's temple grace;
His scars, those broad seals which protecting fate
His future safety signed in, on him sat
Not to deform, but until age remain,
Like maids of honor placed in Beauty's train.
True worth dwelt in the other, but in this
Brave hero's breast — had her metropolis.
The Cyprian's safety and Sardinia's brave
Redemption, were the passports which fame gave
Unto his travelling praise; which, fled in haste
Through the ears' shortstages, in each breast had placed
A love of 's worth; which wise men softly praise,
Whilst the loud throng to acclamations raise.
Not long these true-born sons of honor in
Palermo's court remain, ere, what had been
The cause which had the youthful Cyprian drew
From 's father's court, white fame presents unto
Busy inquirers. Which design from all —
Those swift but weak recruits, good wishes — call,
Except from some it most concerned; 'mongst which
Cleander staggers unresolved. The rich
And powerful kingdom, which affinity
With Cyprus promised, was a prize to be
Valued before Epirus' wealth, who, though
Of late victorious, yet could never grow
Up to that glorious height. This thought, the most
Of all that e'er obstructed love, had crost
Zoranza's hopes, had not his wishes been,
Though covetously vast, confined within
The other's merits; amongst which the chief
Opposes first itself, and, the relief,
Whispers in 's soul, that had been thence brought by
Him, when his state wept blood for liberty.
This in the scale of justice seemed as large
As love's dimensions, till a second charge
Of thoughts proclaims the Cyprian's power to do
The same if in necessity sought to;
Which blames becoming gratitude, as, in
Relation to servility, a sin
In the great souls of princes, who can be,
If they remain in debt for courtesy,
But captives in the throne — too oft the cause
Why meritorious subjects meet the law's
Harsh rigor for reward, when their deserts,
Many and great, o'erfill their princes' hearts.
Before Cleander's gravity had laid
This tempest of his passions, fame betrayed
Their cause to the Epirot prince, who hears
The Cyprian's welcome; which his various fears
But briefly comment on, before, without
More slow delays than what were spent about
The swiftest preparations, he intends
To visit fair Pharonnida, and ends
His journey, ere a thought unwinged with love
Could lead him forth of's court: which haste did prove
His passions stronger than the strength of age
Appeared to promise. What it might presage —
To see at once two royal strangers in
Their glorious court, which both employed had been
About one amorous errand, strangely did
Affect the citizens; whose fears, forbid
The public stage, in private whispers tells
What danger lay betwixt those parallels.
Yet, in the opposition of those stars
That shine in passion's sphere, Love's civil wars
Had no field army; all his power did rest
Within the private garrisons o' the breast,
Which, though besieged by sly suspicion, made
No verbal sallies, but prepare to invade
Beauty's bright province. Yet, each only had
A single visit given unto the sad
Sweet object of their hopes, and thence received
A welcome, such as neither had bereaved
The other's hopes — both rather finding cause
Of cold despair. Cleander pleads the laws
Of nature and free choice, to wave his own
Engagements to Zoranza; which had blown
Love's sickly flame with the tempestuous breath
Of anger forth, had not those thoughts to death
I' the bud been doomed. Whilst thus his passions slept
In Love's soft arms, the noble Cyprian kept
A distance 'twixt his hopes and wishes by
The staid Epirot's interest: — both rely
On their own merits, and Love's doubtful fate
Makes subject to the monarchy of fate.
But whilst this busy combat of the heart
On equal terms is fought, time bent to part
The royal champions. Through the obscure ports
Of dark disguise into Love's field resorts
A third brave combatant, whose merit had
(Though not i' the armour of great titles clad)
By parley won that maiden fort, which they,
Although they scaled on golden mountains, lay
Before in vain. Argalia, though within
Gerenza's court, had yet a stranger been,
More than in fame and big report, to her
Whose best of thoughts wore his soul's character;
And yet, although a virgin's bashful grace
Concealed her own, for to behold that face
So much in debt t' the people's praises, to
Her window oft the royal maid had drew;
Where, whilst his eyes did waste their beams in vain
To pierce those stubborn walls that did contain
Rich Love's unvalued treasure, she beholds
His brave deportment; which, since strange, unfolds
New volumes of unprinted joy, which she
(Sorrow affording so much liberty)
Oft with delight looks o'er, beholding in 't
Argalia's virtues in a different print.
But his wise fate, even when his prayer grew weak
In faith, did through hope's cold antarctic break
In a long summer's day. — His noble friend,
The princely Cyprian, did so largely spend
His stock of eloquence in's praise, when he
Last saw divine Pharonnida, that she,
Although from no remoter cause than springs
From virtue's public love, tells him — he brings
His next best welcome with his friend: which, proud
To be observant in, when time allowed
A visit, he performs. Now to the court,
Beauty's dull cloister, which no thronged resort
Of clients fills, they're come; the surly guard,
Those wakeful dragons, did without reward
Let in that danger in disguise, which had
Met death i' the entrance, if in that unclad.
The way that cleft the scowling rock being by
A thousand steps ascended, they i' the high
Clifts find the royal eaglet, trying that
Bright eye of her fair soul, discretion, at
The fiery beams of anger, which were shot
From her majestic father. Being got
Once more to breathe his soul upon that hand
Where love's first vows, sealed with his lips, did stand,
(Knowledge inflaming passion's fever), like
Unpractised saints, which miracles do strike
Into a reverend zeal, he trembling takes
That holy relic, which a cold fear shakes
In that warm touch. Her eyes' fair splendor shone
Like bright stars in heaven's trepidation
Shook with the general motion, though betwixt
The spheres of love and wonder they stood fixt
In their own orbs, and their united beams
Centred on him; yet (like dead friends which dreams
Imperfectly present) his lovely form,
As mariners when land is through a storm
With doubtful joy descried, she sees: but yet
Knowledge had met with no prospective fit
To guide her through the dark disguise unto
The road of truth; — his valour was in new
Habiliments of honor clothed, and scars
Made her love's heaven adorned with unknown stars.
But whilst her recollecting spirits were
All busied — his idea to compare
With what she saw, a sudden glance of the eye
Develops truth; that jewel, which was by
His first protector left, is seen, by which
Hope, near impoverished with despair, grows rich
In faith, heaven's tenure. But the rushing tide
O'erflows so much, that love's fresh rivers glide
Over weak Nature's banks, — she faints, and in
A silent joy contracted what had been
By love dilated: from which giddy trance
To rescue her, Argalia doth advance
To charge those troops of passions, which o'er her
Had proved victorious; nor did fate defer
The conquest long, ere she displays again
Beauty's fair banner in Love's ivory plain.
The imprisoned spirits freed, the blood in haste,
Fearing her love had Wisdom's throne defaced,
To Beauty's frontiers flies; so mornings weep
And blush together, when they oversleep
Themselves in night's black bed. Though fear's dull charms,
Whilst in the circle of Argalia's arms,
Like dream's fantastic visions, vanish in
Her waking joys; yet, knowing they had been
Betrayed unto a stranger's view, they both
Stood mute with passion, till the Cyprian, loath
To add more weights unto affliction, by
Imping Love's wings with noble courtesy,
Fans off the southern clouds of fear, and thus
Calms the loud storm: — " Doubt not, because to us,
Fair princess, love's mysterious riddles are
By accident resolved, the factious war
Shall be renewed; such base intelligence
Traitors and spies give, when the dark offence
Starts at discovery. If my service may
Be useful, know I sooner dare betray
My sins t' the world, than your intentions to
A smooth seducer. This rare interview
May be my wonder — but shall never prove
My guilt, though all the stratagems of love
Lay open to my heart, which, though unskilled
In his polemics, yet with truth is filled. "
Since now too late to seek protection by
A faint denial, the wished privacy
Their room afforded, gives them leave to lead
His apprehension where conceit did read
The story of love's civil wars: whose rage,
Since treaty could not calm, makes him engage
His stock of power in their defence, and end
His passion's progress to let love attend
On friendship's royal train; what not the force
Of earth's united beauties could divorce;
Nor wealth's, nor honor's strong attractions draw
To other objects; by that holy law
Informed, as hateful sacrilege, doth fly
The bold intrusion on love's hierarchy.
With joy assured of such a powerful friend,
The hopeful lovers sadder cares suspend,
To lay the platform of their safety by
A fair escape. But fear doth oft untie
The golden webs of fancy. When they come
To name the means, invention, then struck dumb,
Startles into distraction; no smooth stroke
Of soft palmed flattery could ere provoke
Sleep in her watchful dragons, nor no shower
Of ponderous gold pierce through her sable tower.
The harsh commander of her surly guard,
Wakeful as foaming Cerberus, and hard
As Parian quars, a heart that could not melt
In love's alembic; the slave never felt
His darts but when lust gave the wound, and then,
Seared with enjoying, the blood stops again,
And leaves behind the fever; which disease
Now in him raged. Amphibia, that could please
None but a sympathizing nature, in
His blood had both disease and medicine been, —
With lust's enchantments, thick loose glances, first
Breeding a calenture, whose sickly thirst
Consenting sin allays again. But long
This monster thrives not in the dark, ere, strong
By custom grown, with impudence he dares
Affront unveiled report, and boldly bears
Himself above those headstrong torrents, by
Whose streams harsh censure grew to calumny.
Which careless pride did unobstruct the way,
Through which to liberty love's progress lay.
A short delay, which lets not fancy rest
In idle thought, their actions did digest
Into a method. The succeeding night
To that great day, by whose triumphant light
Their annual feasts her birth did celebrate,
The time designed. Which done, to stroke rough fate
Into a calm, Argalia first finds out
Despised Florenza, then employed about
Coarse housewifery in the dull country, where
She soon became a partner of his care;
Prepares for safety with a diligence
Whose privacy pays lavish time's expense.
Now from night's swarthy region rose that day,
'Gainst which Invention taught her babes the way
To level at delight, though she flew high
As monarchs' breasts. Beauty and valour vie
Each other in a conquering pride within
A spacious field, that oft before had been
The theatre of martial sports; each knight,
Whom the desire of honor did invite
By her swift herald, Fame, were met; and all,
Whom the respects of either part did call
To the Epirot's or young Cyprian's part,
Repair unto their tents, which, rich in art,
Adorned both sides o' the stately lists, and lent
Their beauties to the prospect's ornament.
Near to the scaffold every seat was filled
With bright court beauties, ladies that did gild
Youth, Nature's throne of polished ivory, in
Pride — there but greatness, though low fortune's sin.
Ranged next to these the city madams, that
Came both to wonder and be wondered at,
Fine as on their first Lady-days, did sit
Comparing fashions, to commend their wit;
Besides the silk-worms' spoils, their husbands' gain,
Jewels they wore, like eyes in beauty's wane
Grown dim with age, so dim, that they did look
As if they'd been from plundered Delphos took;
Although that sprung from faction, yet each face
Was all set form, hardly affording place
For a stolen smile, save when some ticklish lord
Strikes sail, which they could wish should come aboard.
Below, near to the over-heated throng,
Sweet country beauties, such as ne'er did wrong
Nature with nicer art, were seated; where
Though big rude pride cast them in honor's rear,
Yet in love's province they appeared to have
Command from their acknowledged beauty gave;
Humble their looks, yet Virtue there kept state,
And made e'en envy wish to imitate
Their fashions, — not fantastic, yet their dress
Made gallantry in love with comeliness.
Whilst here the learned astronomers of love
Observed how eyes, those wandering stars, did move,
And thence with heedful art did calculate
Approaching changes in that doubtful state;
The princess, like the planet of the day,
Comes with a lustre forth that did betray
The others' beams into contempt, and made
The morning stars of meaner beauties fade,
Sadly confessing by their languished light,
They shone but when her absence made it night.
Stately her look, yet not too high to be
Seen in the valleys of humility;
Clear as heaven's brow was her's, her smiles to all,
Like the sun's comforts, epidemical;
Yet by the boldest gazer, with no less
Reverence adored, than Persians in distress
Do that bright power, who, though familiar by
An airy medium, still is throned on high.
Least the ungoverned multitude which raise
Their eyes to her, should in their lavish praise
From zeal to superstition grow, they're now
Drawn off, — the entered combatants allow
Their eyes no further leisure, but beginning
Their martial sports, with various fate were winning
Bright victory's laurels. But I here must let
Honor in their own stories live, the debt
I owe to promise but extends unto
The fortune of our royal lovers; who,
Though both concerned in this, have actions far
More full of fate approaching. That bright star
Which gave Argalia victory here, scarce shows
Its spangled records, unto which he owes
Far more sublime protection, yet it lends
Vigor to that bright planet which attends
His future fortune, and discovers all
His astracisms in rising cosmical.
Followed with acclamations, such as made
The troops of envy tremble to invade
His conquering fame, he leaves the field; and by
Cleander, with rewards of victory
First honored in the public view, is brought
From thence to meet delicious mirth in soft
Retired delights; which in a spacious flood,
From princes' breasts to tenify the blood
Of the blunt soldiers, haste; whose dull souls swelled
With airy pleasures had from thought expelled
All sullen cares, and levelled paths unto
Designs which did to their neglect ensue.
The black-browed night, to court the drowsy world,
Had put her starry mantle on, and hurled
Into the sea (their spacious-breasted mother)
Her dark attendants; silent sleep did smother
Exalted clamors; and in private meets
The busy whisperer, sporting 'twixt his sheets.
Veiled in which shady calm, Argalia, by
The noble Cyprian only in his high
Attempt assisted, now prepares to free
The great preserver of his liberty.
Come to the bridge, that to secure the sleep
O' the careless guard, which slender watch did keep,
Finding it drawn, the depth and ugly look
O' the heavy stream had from the Cyprian took
All hopes of passage, till that doubt did end
In greater fear — the danger of his friend;
Who, with a courage high as if in that
He'd centred all the world did tremble at
In his precedent victories, had cast
Himself t' the mercy of the stream, and past
In safety o'er, though nets enough were spread
On her dark face to make his death's cold bed.
Giving his spirits leave to fortify
His heart with breath, he then ascends the high
Opposing clifts, which in an ugly pride
Threatened beneath her ruined scales to hide
That rising flame of honor. Being come
To the other side, a sentry, but struck dumb
With sleep's prevailing rhetoric, he finds;
Upon whose keys he seizes, and then binds
His sluggish limbs, ere full awake, conveys
Him to a place whence no loud cry betrays
The sounds of danger to his fellows, that
Revelled in louder mirth. Unstartled at
The river's depth, the wondering Cyprian now
Crossed the united bridge, and, being taught how
By imitation to slight danger, goes
With his brave friend toward their careless foes.
Not far they were advanced before they hear
Approaching steps; a soldier was drawn near,
Which to relieve the other came, but shared
In his misfortune ere he had prepared
To make resistance; which attempt succeeds
So equal to their wishes, that there needs
No more to strengthen faith. By the command
O' the will's best leader, reason, both did stand
A while to view their danger; — through a way
Narrow and dark their dreadful passage lay;
The rugged rock upon each side so steep,
That, should they've missed, no trembling hold could keep
Them from the grasp of death: to add to this,
More forms of horror from the dark abyss
Which undermined the rock's rough sides, they hear
A hollow murmur; the black towers appear
Flanked with destruction, every part did hold
Peculiar terror, but the whole unfold,
Through the black glass of night, a face like that
Which chaos wore, ere time was wakened at
The first great fiat, or — could aught appear
More dark and dreadful, know 'twas emblemed here.
Safe passed through the first steps of danger, they
Now to the main guard come; whom they betray
By a soft knock — of all conceived 't had been
The voice their sentry called for entrance in.
Their errand undisputed, postern gates
Are open thrown, at which the royal mates
Both rushing in, strangely amaze them; but
Now being entered, 'twas too late to shut
The danger forth, nor could confusion lend
Their trembling nerves a strength fit to defend
By opposition. In base flight lay all
Their hopes of life, which some attempting fall
On the dark road of death, but few escape
To show their fellows danger's dreadful shape.
Whilst here, like powerful winds that dissipate
Infectious damps, in unobstructed state
Their valour reigned, to tell them that the way
Which led unto the princess freedom lay
Yet through more slippery paths of blood, with haste
Wild as their rage, Brumorchus' brothers, placed
That guard's commanders, enter. Loose neglect,
Which drew them thence, since cause of that effect,
They now redeem with speed. Riot had not
Unnerved their limbs; although their blood grew hot
With large intemperate draughts, the fever yet
I' the spirits only dwelt, till this rude fit
On the stretched heart lays hold in flames, which had
Scorched valour's wings if not in judgment clad.
Here, though their numbers equal were, yet in
A larger volume danger had not been
Often before presented to the view
Of the brave champions; as if she had drew
With doubtful art lines in the scheme of fate
For them and their proud foes, pale Virtue sat
Trembling for fear her power should not defend.
Her followers, 'gainst that strength which did attend
Those big-boned villains' strokes. Beneath whose force
The Cyprian prince had felt a sad divorce
Of Nature's wedlock, if, when sinking in
The icy sleep, Death's wide gorge had not been
Stopped by a stroke from fierce Argalia, sent
To aid him when in his defence he'd spent
His stock of strength. Freed by which happy blow
From Janus' guard, since now his friend lay low,
Near Death's dark valley, he contracts his power
To quench the other's lamp of life: a shower
Of wounds lets fall on's enemy, which now
Clogged his soul's upper garments, and allow
His eyes' dim optics no more use of light,
Than what directs him in a staggering flight.
Yet in the darkness of approaching death,
In mischief's sables, that small stock of breath
That yet remains, to clothe, he suddenly
Gives fire unto a cannon that was by
Wise care ordained to give intelligence,
When big with danger fear could not dispense
With time's delays. " The princess, that within
Her closet had that fatal evening been
Retired and sad, whilst strong winged prayer acquaints
Her flaming zeal with heaven's whole choir of saints,
Thus startled by the treacherous thunder, all
Her yet unnumbered stock of beads lets fall
'Mongst those that prayer had ranked, and did implore
In one great shriek deliverance; to her door
Hastes to behold the danger of those friends
On whose success love's fortress — hope, depends.
Where being come, her eyes' first progress met
Her prayers' reward, e'en whilst his sword was wet
With blood, the balm of victory. But long
The extacies of fancy, though more strong
Than sacred raptures, last not, all was now
Too full of noise and tumult to allow
A room for passion's flow: disputes within
The schools of action, loud alarums in
The castle court and city raged; all were
Huddled into confusion; some prepare
To fly what others with an ignorance
As great (though bolder) to oppose advance.
Here had our heaven-protected lovers lost
What such large sums of prayers and tears had cost,
Had not the torrent of the people's throng,
When rushing towards the castle, by a strong
Voice — danger, been diverted, to prevent
A hungry flame which, in the Cyprian's tent
Began, had spread its air-dilated wings
Over the city: whose feared danger brings
On them a worse distemperature than all
Their last night's surfeits. Whilst proud turrets fall
In their own ashes, the discordant bells,
Ordained to call for aid, but ring their knells
That in a drunken fury, half awake,
First their warm beds, and then their lives forsake;
For to destruction here big pride had swelled,
Had not night's errors been by day expelled,
With swift calls frighted, but more terrified
At their sad cause, fear being his doubtful guide,
The stout Epirot to Cleander's court
Repairs; and there, amongst a thick resort
Of subjects, finds the prince distracted by
Those epidemic clamors that did fly
From every part o' the city. To appease
Whose fury whilst he goes, the sharp disease
In flames feeds on her ruined beauty, and
Mounts on insulting wings; which to withstand,
The amazed inhabitants did stop its flight
With the whole weight of rivers, till that light,
Which an usurper on the sooty throne
Of darkness sat, vanished, or only shone
From their dim torches' rays. The prince thus staid
In's hasty journey till the flames allayed
Lent safety to the city, by it gave
The royal fugitives the time to save
Themselves by flight from those ensuing ills,
Whose clamorousscouts, rude sounds, the stirred air fills.
Descended to the garden's postern gate,
A place where silence yet unruffled sat
(A night obscure and an unhaunted way,
Conspiring their pursuers to betray
To dark mistakes) with silent joy, which had
All fear's pale symptoms in love's purple clad,
Close as that bold Attempter, whose brave theft
Was sacred fire, the walks behind them left,
Argalia hastes unto the castle moat
With his rich prize, there a neglected boat,
Half hid amongst the willow beds, finds out;
In which Pharonnida, that nought could doubt
Whilst her successful lover steered, passed o'er
To meet the safety of a larger shore.