This threatning squadron did consist of horse, Did miss his reach, when they to Brescia turn'd, And now (as if his baste destruction ment) He chac'd these who the duke's spent valour mourn'd. Whose posture being loose, their number few, His scouts grew scornful as they forward come; He makes his squadron balt, and neer he drew; Then asks aloud, "What are you, and for whom?" The noble Goltho (whose great deeds to day Prevented manhood in his early youth) Believ'd him Oswald's friend, yet scoru' the way To shelter life, behind abandon'd truth. For he to Ulfin boldly thus reply'd; "This second ambush findes us here in vain; We have no treasure left that we would hide, Since Gondibert is reckon'd with the slain. "Duke Gondibert we vouch to be our lord, To whose high vertue's sov'raignty we bow; Oswald sunk low, as death, beneath his sword, Though him superior fate will vanquish now." Scarce empty eagles stooping to their prey, Could be more swift than Ulfin to alight, And come where Gondibert expiring lay; Now pleasing those whom he did newly fright. For scarce that rey'rence which a monarch draws, Who seldome will be seen, though often sought; Who spends his carefull age in making laws, To rule those lands for which in youth he fought; Nor that respect which people pay those kings, Whose peace makes rich, whom civil war made Can equall this which aged Ulfin brings [wise, The gentle duke, to whom he prostrate lies. His eyes (not us'd to tears) bathe every wound; Which he salutes as things he chiefly lov'd; And when expence of spirits he had found, To gain him air, his mourners he remov'd. "Make way," said he, “and give experience room; The confident of age, though youth's scorn'd guide; [come, But the uncomely absence of an eye, And larger wants, which ev'ry visage mourn'd, (Where black did over-vail, or ill supply) Was that which wonder into horrour turn'd, And Ulfin might be thought (when the rude wind Lifting their curtains, left their ruines bare) A formal antiquary, fondly kind To statues, which he now drew out to aire. The duke (whose absent knowledge was call'd back By cordials' pow'r) his wonder did increase So much, that he agen did knowledge lack, Till thus old Ulfin made his wonder cease. "Auspicious prince! recorded be this day, And sung by priests of each ensuing age; On which thu maist receive, and I may pay Some debts of duty, as thy grandsire's page. "That mighty chief I serv'd in youth's first strength, Who our short scepter meant to stretch so far, Till eastern kings might grieve theirs wanted length, Whose maps scarce teach where all their subjects are. "Full many stormy winters we have seen, When mighty valour's heat was all our fire; Else we in stupid frosts had fetter'd been, By which soft sinews are congeal'd to wire. "And many scorching summers we have felt, Where death relieves all whom the sword invades; And kindly thence (where we should toyling melt) Leads us to rest beneath eternal shades. "For aid of action he obedience taught, And silent patience for afflictions' cure; The care of men, more than of glory lov'd; Success rewarded, and succesles paines. saves. "Valour his mistriss, caution was his friend; Both to their diff'rent seasons he appli'd; The first he lov'd, on th' other did depend; The first made worth uneasie by her pride. "He to submiss devotion more was giv'n My wounds, though past, out-number yours to That weary life could to her walks restore. This care (amazing all it does delight) His ruines, which so reverend appear, As a strange object now his troops draw near. Yet this defect of legs, or arms, or hands, Did wondring valour not disturb, but please; To see what divers weapons each commands [ease. With art's hard shifts, till custome gave them After a battel gain'd, then ere 'twas fought; To his high place, by Aribert's consent, [snare; And I am stay'd unwillingly behind; Not caught with wealth, life's most intangling Though both my masters were in giving kinde, As joyful victors after battel are." Whilst thus this aged leader does express His and their story whom this bounty feeds, His hands the duke's worst order'd wounds undress And gently binde; then strait he thus proceeds. "West from those hills till you Cremona reach, With an unmingled right I gather rent; By their great gift who did such precepts teach In giving, as their wealth is ne'er misspent. "For as their plenteous pity fills my thought, So their example was not read in vain; A thousand, who for them in battel fought, And now distress'd with maimes, I entertain: "Not giving like to those, whose gifts though scant Pain them as if they gave with gowty hand; Such vex themselves, and ease not others' want; But we alike enjoy, a like command. "Most spaciously we dwell, where we possess All sinless pleasures Nature did ordain; And who that all may have, yet will have less, Wiser than Nature, thinks her kindness vain. "A sad resolve, which is a wise man's vow, From citties' noise, and courts' unpitty'd care Did so divorce me, it would scarce allow I ere should take one league of distant ayre. "But that alarms from each adjacent part Which borders my abode, disturb'd my rest, With dreadful newes that gracious Gondibert By Oswald's faction was in fight opprest. "Then it had given your wonder cause to last, To see the vex'd mistakes this summons wrought In all my maim'd domesticks, by their haste; For some tie on the limbs which others sought. "Just such mistakes audatious ethnicks say Will happen, where the righteous busie are, Through glad and earnest hast in the last day; Whilst others slowly to their doom prepare. "And this had anger, anger noise had bred, And noise, the enemy of useful thought, Had them to more mistakes than blindness led, But that our awfull camps had silence taught. "Silence did mem'ry, mem'ry order make; Order to each did his mist wood restore; For some, who once were stedfast foot, mistake And snatch those limbs which only horsemen wore, "Like swift pursuers on Arabian horse, These with their needfull instruments of hold (Which give their strange adapted weapons force) I mounted strait; five hundred fully told. "These from the Lombards highly have deserv'd, In conquests where thy father did command; Whom they for science and affection serv'd; And lost their limbs to gain our scepter land. "Which yet are noble though unsightly signes, That each in active courage much abounds; And many a willow'd mother now repines, They cannot show the men who gave those wounds. "For dearly did the Hunns for honour pay, When they deform'd them in a fatall fight; Since though they strongly struggled for the day, Yet all they got, was everlasting night, "And Oswald's friends, were they not timely gone (Though all the faction in one army were) Should mourn this act against their gen'ral's son; Who was to soldiers more than triumph dear. "For these to conquest us'd, retreats dislike; They beauty want, to others' beauty's cost; With envious rage still at the face they strike; And punish youth, for what in youth they lost." Thus, though the duke's amazement be remov'd, It now returns, gladly on him to gaze, Who feeds those fighters whom his father lov'd; A gratitude would vertue's self amaze. "Thou art," said he (then melted whilst he spake) "So ripe in what high Heav'n does dearly love, That Heav'n's remorse for Earth we should mistake, To think it will forbear thee long above. "As if thy sent for soul already were Upon her wings, so much I give thee gon; And wish thee left in some successor here, [shown." That might receive the kindness thou hast Old Ulfin now (but meltingly as he) Tinrich him, gives the jewell of his sight; For strait, with fatherly authority, He bids his son, young Ulfinor, alight! "Take him," (said he)" whose duty I release; In whom all Heav'n's rewards included are, For all my justice in corrupted peace, And for ny mercy in revengefull war. Bids neither strive the other to precede, Where nought is writ too hard for sudden eyes; But thought's plain text grows easie by a look: Study breeds doubts, where reading should suffice. But these to joyn, Nature no councel needs; Whom sympathy, her secret priest. does wed; Much fam'd will be their loves, and martial deeds; Which fill all books that are of Lombards read. With gracious eyes, and body lowly beut, The duke his father's rev'rend troops salutes; To Bergamo he holds his first intent; Which to oppose, old Ulfin thus disputes. "Thou seest (my prince) the faint decayes of light; How hastily the Sun's hot steeds begin To mend their pace, as if their longing sight Had newly spy'd their usuall western inn. "Too farr is pleasant Bergamo from hence, Since day has reach'd so neer his journey's end; Day's strength and yours are at their last expence; Do not whilst both are wasting, both misspend. "You and your wounded must with Nature strive, Till all (whose few houres' sway to day excels Their elder focs' long reign in camps) arrive, Where Astragon the wise and wealthy dwe ̈s. "Rich is that lord, and rich in learning's wealth; Art flies his test, he all art's test endures; Our cities send their sick to him for health, Our camps the wounded for their certain cures. "Though cautions Nature, check'd by destiny, Has many secrets she would ne'r impart; This fam'd philosopher is Nature's spie, And hireless gives th' intelligence to Art." The duke with vertue, (antiquated now) Did rev'rence councel, and to age did bend; His first course altars, and does this allow; Then Ulfin as their guide they all attend. Soon they the pallace reach'd of Astragon; Which had its beauty hid by envious night; Whose cypress curtain drawn before the Sun Seem'd to performe the obsequics of light. Yet light's last rayes were not intirely spent; For they discern'd their passage through a gate, Whose height and space shew'd ancient ornament; And ancients there in careful office sate. Who by their weights and measures did record Such num'rous burthens as were thither brought From distant regions, to their learned lord; On which his chymics and distillers wrought. But now their common business they refrain, When they observe a quiet sullenness And bloody marks in such a civil train; [tress. Which shew'd at once their worth and their disThe voice of Ulfin they with gladness knew, Whom to this house long neighbourhood indear'd; Approaching torches perfected their view, And taught the way till Astragon appear'd. Who soon did Ulfin cheerfully imbrace; The visit's cause by whispers he receiv'd; Which first he hop'd was meant him as a grace, But being known with manly silence griev'd. And then with gestures full of grave respect, The duke he to his own apartment led; To each distinct retirements did direct, And all the wounded he ordain'd to bed. Then thin digestive food he did provide, More to enable fleeting strength to stay; To wounds well search'd he cleansing wines apply'd, And so prepar'd his rip'ning balsoms way. Balm of the warriour's herbe, hypericon! To warriours as in use, in form decreed; For through the leaves transparent wounds are shown; And rudely touch'd, the golden flower does bleed. For sleep they juice of pale nymphæa took, Which grows (to shew that it for sleep is good) Near sleep's abode in the soft murm'ring brook: This cools, the yellow flower restraines the blood: And now the weary world's great med'cin, sleep, This learned host dispenc'd to ev'ry guest; Which shuts those wounds where injur'd lovers weep, And flies oppressors to relieve th' opprest. It loves the cotage, and from court abstains, It stills the sea-man though the storm be high; Frees the griev'd captive in his closest chaines, Stops want's loud mouth, and blinds the treach'rous spie! And on her peopled bank they might behold Or monument, for ere 'twas built he dy'd. The prospect of a swelling hill commands; In whose coole wombe the city springs are bred: On Dorique pillers this tall temple stands. This to sooth Heav'n the bloody Clephes built; As if Heav'n's king so soft and easy were, So meanly hous'd in Heav'n, and kind to guilt, That he would be a tyrant's tenant here. And now they might arrest their wandring sight An amphytheater which was controll'd This great Flaminius did in youth erect, Where cities sat to see whole armies play Death's serious part: but this we may neglect, To mark the bus'ness which begins with day. As day new op'ning fills the hemisphear, And all at once; so quickly ev'ry street Does by an instant op'ning full appear, When from their dwellings busy dwellers meet, Here creeps th' afflicted through a narrow dore; Who scape by herding in th' indebted throng. The skar'd adult'rer, who out-slept his time; with ease; And would usurp, did not their rulers' care With toile and tax their furious strength appease. And for th' ore busie world most wisely weep. Traceless and swift, and changing as the wind) Did apprehend in such prodigious shape, As if their living to the dead were gone, And only Fame did by her wings escape. Some said this hunting falsely was design'd, That by pretence both factions might prepare Their armies to contest for Rhodalind; The crown's chief jewel, and reward of warre, And some report (so far they range from truth Which menac'd, ere it struck the list'ning croud. So much did pity Oswald's valour prise, Even from the temples, angels soon withdrew; Who living, love, and dying, valour taught. "To these," (said he) " Verona cradles gave, And since in forraign fields they rais'd her fame, They challenge here, though much too soon, a grave. "Bring sprinklings, lamps, and th' altar's precious Who gratefully a rev'rence teach to death; Because they most by dying men are pris'd. And loudly wellcome his return to sight: Then to his palace he retires by stealth; His wounds from his lov'd mistris to conceal; On whose dear joys so much depends his health, The wounds her tears should touch would never heal. To the chief temple strait the people bear The valiant rivals, who for love were slain; Whom all the peacefull priests behold with fear, And griev'd such guests they durst not entertain. For soon the prior of their brotherhood (Who long serv'd Heav'n with praise, the world with prayer) Cry'd out, "This holy house is shut to blood, To all that die in combat or despair. "These by their bloody marks in combat di'd; Through anger, the disease of beasts untam'd; Whose wrath is hunger, but in men 'tis pride, Yet theirs is cruelty, ours courage nam'd. "Here the neglected Lord of peace does live; Who taught the wrangling world the rules of love; Should we his dwelling to the wrathfull give, Our sainted dead would rise, and he remove. "Well by his precepts may we punish strife; Whose pity knew that famine, plague, and time, Are enemies enough to humane life; [crime. None need o'er-charge Death's quiver with a "To unfrequented fields bear then your slain; Where neither dirge nor requiem shall be giv'n; To those who by usurp'd revenge disdain To take from men, neglects they put on Heav'n." But now the people's passions run too farr; Their untaught love, artless extremes does wed; Of times they like the past, and since they are Opprest still by the living, love the dead: And now resolve these rivals shall not lose The rites of sprinkling, incense, lights, and song: Then, as the voice of all their minds, they choose An orator, of rude, but ready tongue: Who at the temple gate thus pleads aloud! "We know, though priests are pensioners of Heav'n, [croud; Your flock which yields best rent, is this dull The learn'd examine why their fleece is giv'n. "Though by the rich first shorn, to you they bear A second tribute, and by zeal support Temples, which kings for glory raise, and where The rich for fame, the learn'd as spies resort. "Temples are yours, not God's lov'd palaces; Where off'rings make not his, but your own feasts; Where you most wisely live, because at ease, And entertain your founders as your guests: "With ease you take, what we provide with care; And we (who your legation must maintain) Find all your tribe in the commission are; And none but Heav'n could send so large a train. "But being all ambassadors from thence, The growing charge will soon exceed our rent, Unless you please to treat at his expence Who sent you; not at ours, where you are sent. "The ancient laws liv'd in the people's voice; Rites you from custom, not from canon draw; They are but fashions of a graver choice, Which yield to laws, and now our voice is law." This Tybalt heard with sorrow and disdain, "Most usefull fathers! some trace secret things Even to his closet, who is hid in Heav'n; Vainly as Nilus to his hidden springs, And not enjoy, but censure what is given. "You with such temper their intemp'rance bear, To shew your solid science does rely So on it self, as you no trial feare; For arts are weak that are of scepticks shy. "Though in your office humane safety lies, Which op'ns that Hell the vicious vulgar feare, Yet never can the people priesthood prise; As if from Heav'n your daily errands were. "Not that your message, truth, they disesteem, Or think it comes from any other way, But that they taxes hate, and truth does seem Brought as a tax, when they the bringers pay. "Thus we to beasts fall from our noble kinde, Making our pastur'd bodies all our care; Allowing no subsistence to the minde; For truth we grudge her as a costly fare. "But if they fear (since daily you renew Disputes) your oracles are doubtfull still As those of old; yet more reward is due To paines, where so uneasie is the skill. "Or if no skill they think it, but suppose 'Tis faith (and faith ne'r thinks Heav'n's height too high) [fly. Yet faiths so sev'ral be, that few are those Can choose right wings when they to Heav'n would "Or if they think, faith humane help transcends, And to your science is so strict a bound As death to valour is, where daring ends; And none are farthest in that progress found; "Yet in our walk to our last home design'd, 'Tis safe by all the study'd guides to goe; Least we in death, too late, the knowledge find Of what in life 'twas possible to know. "Your splendid pomp, by which your pow'r indures, [laws; Though costly, costs much less than camps or And more than both, religion us secures; Since Hell (your prison) more than dying awes. "For though the plain judge, conscience, makes no showe, But silently to her dark session comes, Not as red law does to arraignment goe, Or warr to execution with loud drums; "Though she on hills sets not her gibbets high, Where frightful law sets hers; nor bloody seems Like warr in colours spread, yet secretly She does her work, and many men condems. "Chokes in the seed, what law till ripe ne'r sees; What law would punish, conscience can prevent; And so the world from many mischiefs frees; Known by her cures, as law by punishment. "The weaker sighted ever look too nigh; But their disputes have made your charter good; As doubted tenures, which long pleadings trie, Authentick grow by being much withstood. |