From her they snatch the gift, from him the giver's right. But soon th' impatient prince his fauchion drew, And cried: "Ye robbers of another's due, Now learn the diff'rence, at your proper cost, Betwixt true valor and an empty boast." At this advanc'd, and, sudden as the word, In proud Plexippus' bosom plung'd the sword: Toxeus amaz'd, and with amazement slow, Or to revenge, or ward the coming blow, Stood doubting; and, while doubting thus he stood, 240 Receiv'd the steel bath'd in his brother's blood. Pleas'd with the first, unknown the second news, Althea to the temples pays their dues FABLES with pain. By steel her stubborn soul his mother freed, Had I a hundred tongues, a wit so large Would offer to describe his sisters' pain. 380 Till they turn❜d livid, and corrupt the snow. remains, And exercise and rub with fruitless pains; (The dust compos'd within a pious urn,) bosoms press. 390 His tomb is rais'd; then, stretch'd along the ground, Those living monuments his tomb surround: Till tears and kisses wear his name away. Yet was with one fair daughter only blest; And blest he might have been with her alone: ? But O! how much more happy had he none Most in his thought, and ever in his sight: 20 As envying any else should share a part Short were her marriage joys, for in the 30 The worship'd idol of her father's eyes, 50 Of gentle blood; but one whose niggard fate Had set him far below her high estate. Guiscard his name was call'd, of blooming age, Now squire to Tancred, and before his page: To him, the choice of all the shining crowd, Her heart the noble Sigismonda vow'd. Yet hitherto she kept her love conceal'd, And with close glances ev'ry day beheld The graceful youth; and ev'ry day increas'd The raging fire that burn'd within her breast. Some secret charm did all his acts attend, And what his fortune wanted, hers could mend; 60 When Guiscard next was in the circle seen, Where Sigismonda held the place of queen, A hollow cane within her hand she brought, But in the concave had enclos'd a note. With this she seem'd to play, and, as in sport, 80 Toss'd to her love, in presence of the court: "Take it," she said, "and when your needs require, This little brand will serve to light your fire." He took it with a bow, and soon divin'd The seeming toy was not for naught design'd; But when retir'd, so long with curious eyes He view'd the present, that he found the prize. Much was in little writ; and all convey'd With cautious care, for fear to be betray'd By some false confident, or fav'rite maid. The time, the place, the manner how to Was now th' apartment of the royal dame; What will not women do, when need inspires The dame, who long in vain had kept the key, Bold by desire, explor'd the secret way; Now tried the stairs, and, wading thro' the night, Search'd all the deep recess, and issued into light. All this her letter had so well explain'd, The cavern mouth alone was hard to find, A frock of leather o'er his limbs he drew; And thus provided, search'd the brake around, Till the chok'd entry of the cave he found. Thus, all prepar'd, the promis'd hour arriv'd, So long expected, and so well contriv'd: With love to friend, th' impatient lover went, Fenc'd from the thorns, and trod the deep descent. 150 The conscious priest, who was suborn'd before, Stood ready posted at the postern door; The maids in distant rooms were sent to rest, And nothing wanted but th' invited guest. He came, and knocking thrice, without delay, The longing lady heard, and turn'd the key; At once invaded him with all her charms, And needed both to drive the tempting thoughts away. The foe once gone, they took their full delight; 'Twas restless rage and tempest all the night; For greedy love each moment would employ, And grudg'd the shortest pauses of their joy. Thus were their loves auspiciously begun, And thus with secret care were carried on; The stealth itself did appetite restore, And look'd so like a sin, it pleas'd the more. 179 The cave was now become a common way; The wicket, often open'd, knew the key: Love rioted secure, and, long enjoy'd, Was ever eager, and was never cloy'd. But as extremes are short, of ill and good, And tides at highest mark regorge the flood; So Fate, that could no more improve their joy, Took a malicious pleasure to destroy. Tancred, who fondly lov'd, and whose delight 189 Was plac'd in his fair daughter's daily sight, Of custom, when his state affairs were done, Would pass his pleasing hours with her alone; And, as a father's privilege allow'd, Without attendance of th' officious crowd. It happen'd once, that when in heat of day He tried to sleep, as was his usual way, The balmy slumber fled his wakeful eyes, And fore'd him, in his own despite, to rise. Of sleep forsaken, to relieve his care, He sought the conversation of the fair; 200 But with her train of damsels she was gone, |