Canto IX.

Within the City long remainèd pent1 nor found a purchaser our Factor-twain: The wily Infidels by foil and feint made every trader cease from trade and gain: For all they purposèd, and hoped, and meant, was there the stout Discov’erers to detain of India, till arrive th’ expected Fleet of Mecan vessels and the foe defeat. There, where the City crowns the Red Sea bight2 founded by Egypt’s royal Ptolemy, and from his sister-spouse Arsin’oe hight, to Suez changèd in our modern day; the harbour lieth at a distance light from far-famed Meca, raised to high degree by the false superstition and profane, the Holy Water of the Moorish men.[29] Gidà the hythe is ’titled, where the trade3 of all the Red Sea shore-lands flourisht most, whereby was great and grateful gain convey’d unto the Sóldan,[30] who possest the coast: Hence to the Malabars, by contract made with th’ Infidel, tall ships, a potent host, each year fares sailing over Indic seas stocking their teeming holds with spiceries. Upon these ships firm hopes the Moors had set,4 e’en as their puissance was so much the higher, that these who sought their gains so grateful great, they might consume with crepitating fire: For the good succour all confiding wait, and from th’ Explorers naught they now require, save to retard their sailing in such sort, that the famed Meca-fleet should make the port. But He who rules the Heav’ens and human race,5 who for whatever willèd hath His will, the fittest causes from afar doth trace which shall His provident effects fulfil; pitiful accidents of ruth and grace dealt to Monsaydé, who, with guarded skill, devoted self Da Gama to advise, and gain his rightful guerdon,—Paradise. He, whom the Moorish rout might not suspect,6 being like them a Moor, but firmly thought a villain member of the villain sect, unveiled the frauds with foulest treason fraught: The ships by distance from the shore protect, in stealth with pious heart full oft he sought, mourning the causeless evils that ordain malignant hate and vengeance Sarracen. He warns the wary Gama that th’ Armade7 due from Arabian Meca year by year, is that whereon his fellows’ hope is laid, to be the deadly arm of certain snare: “They sail with armed hosts amain,” he said, “and Vulcan’s horrid thunderbolts they bear; So may ye read’ily fall an easy prey as you be poorly furnisht for the fray!” And eke the Gama, now considering8 the time had come for him to quit the Port, and that no gladder tidings from the King he could expect who doth the Moors support; the Factors left ashore straight summoning, he bade them haste aboard: And, lest report of such a flitting might their flight impede, he bids them privily their steps to speed. But in the shortest space had Rumour flown9 on res’onant wing, nor here as wont did lie, that both the Factors were in prison thrown, when found attempting from the town to fly. Without delay the true report was known to the shrewd Captain, who incont’inently reprisals dealt on certain who had sought the Fleet to traffick with the gems they brought. Now those detained are merchants grave and old,10 richards of Calecut in good repute; and in their absence all their brethren hold the ships withhold them and full true the bruit. But in the Fleet our Mar’iners brave and bold the capstans man, and each in several suit is told to task; these haul the cables in, those with hard breasts to shove the bars[31] begin. Others to yard-arms hanging on let go11 the sail that bellies with a bell’owing sound; yet the King heareth louder sounds which show that fast the Squadron fareth homeward-bound: The wives and children, dight to die of woe for their lost loved ones, crowd in tears around the Samorim, and piteously complain from these their fathers, mates from those are tane. Forthwith the Lusian Factors he restoreth12 with stuffs in fullest tale and all-tax free, despite the rancorous Moor who all abhorreth, so might the prison’d lieges renderèd be: Pardon for his deceit the King imploreth. The Captain greeteth, far more glad to see Factors than phrases hear; sets loose some Blacks and, making sail, adown the coast he tacks. Down coast he tacketh, for he comprehendeth13 that with the Géntoo King ’twere labour vain to knit those peaceful bonds, which he intendeth should strengthen commerce and her object gain: But seeing how the glorious Realm that trendeth Aurora-ward, must aye well-known remain, with these glad news he seeks dear Fatherland, sure tokens taking of what things he fand. He taketh eke some Malabars aboard14 parforce, the fellows by the Samorim sent when were the Factor-pris’oners restor’d: Of purchased stores he taketh hot piment: Nor is of Banda the dried flow’er[32] ignor’d, nutmeg and swarthy clove, which excellent makes new Malucan Isle,[33] with cinnamon the wealth, the boast, the beauty of Ceylon. All this was gathered by the deft design15 of true Monsaydé, borne aboard the Fleet: who thus of Angel-influences digne is register’d in Christ His roll-call writ: Blest African! whom clemency divine in prison-gloom with Gospel-light hath lit, who thus couldst find, from country forced to roam, the way to mortal man’s true heav’enly home! Then turning from that coast of torrid heat16 the vent’urous Prores their southing courses bend, where Nature pleased to place her farthest mete, the Good Hope Cape, where Austrine shorelands end; bearing the joyful news, and hopes to greet their Lisbon homes from Morning-land they wend, again resigned to snares of terror spread by seas uncertain, glad, withal in dread: The joy one’s own dear Land once more to view,17 sweet home and kith and kin to sight again, with whom old voyage-feats we face anew, and tell of climates strange and stranger men; to taste the honey’d draught of praises due by long mischances, toil, and ill and pain, each hath of pleasure such a perfect store, the shallow vessel of man’s heart brims o’er. Natheless the Cyprian goddess, who ordainèd18 had been her Lusitanian sons to guard; and by the Sire Eterne had been constrainèd, through rolling years to lend them watch and ward; the Glory gallant toils and travails gainèd the weals that nobly suffered ills reward, for them ordaining was, who did intend all their sea-sorrows in sea-joys should end. In thought revolving for a season brief19 how they had faced the might’iest Sea that flows; and thinking how the God sore gall and grief worked, who in Amphionean Thebæ rose; she had already planned right glad relief a prize outweighing all their passing woes, to find them rare delight and gentle rest deep in the liquid chrystal’s tranquil breast: Something, in fine, of that repose so sweet,20 refocillating bodies weary-wan, for these her wanderers, and pay interest meet of toil, that short’eneth life of short-lived Man. Then to secure the ear it seemèd fit of her Son-god, whose might of Gram’arye can degrade the high Divine to low terrene, and raise our human clay to Heav’en serene. And, duly pond’ering, all her thoughts incline21 there to bespread upon their wat’ery way, ’mid waves of Ocean-stream, some Isle divine with bloom enamel’d and with green’ery gay; for she hath many, where her realms confine with the First Mother[34] girt by ’bosoming bay, besides those Gardens of the Midland Seas, within the portals oped by Hercules. There ’tis her will, the watery Damosels22 await the coming of her hero-train, the Nymphs who worth’ily bear the name of belles, for eyne a pleasure and for hearts a pain; with choirs and dances, and by potent spells bring secret hoards of Love their love to gain, that all should labour with the best of will the Youths they love with lover-joys to thrill. Erst so she schemèd for the son she bare23 to her Anchises, that he welcome found in the fair country, where by subtle snare a single ox-hide spanned the spacious ground: She seeks his aidance whom she may not spare, fierce Cupid, in whose force her force is bound; that e’en as in her olden enterprize he aided, aid he now to pluck the prize. Yoked to her chariot are the Birds whose song24 doth exequies of Death in Life’s own tide, and they whose figure took in syne gone long, Peristera[35] who pluckt the daisies pied. Behind the hasting Goddess troop the throng, all through the lift with billing kisses glide: Where’er on windy wings the Goddess flies with gracious movement she serenes the skies. Now o’er th’ Idalian mounts her car impendeth,25 where for her coming waits her Archer-son, who mustering potent host with it intendeth to fare on famous expedition, and rebel worlds debel till he amendeth those direful errors long by mortals done, who love goods given by the Gods above for man to use and not for man to love. He saw Actæon, hunter so austere,26 so blindly bent on snatching brutal prize, that to pursue some ugly beast and fere, far from the human form divine he flies: The Boy for vengeance sweet as ’tis severe charms with chaste Dian’s shape his hungry eyes; then let the for’ester take him careful heed lest his loved Hounds upon their Hunter feed. He sees the wide world o’er how evry Lord,27 for public welfare naught doth reck nor feel; he sees that none the boon of love afford, save where Philautia[36] counsels selfish weal: He sees how men who sit at royal board for words of wisdom aye prefer to deal in sale of flatt’eries vile, which ne’er permit the tares be weeded from the fair young wheat. He sees that men, to poverty who owe28 duty of Holy Love and Charity, live only pow’er to gain and wealth to show, pretending Justice and Integrity: Of ugly Tyr’anny breeding asp’erous woe they coin a right with vain severity: Laws they devise in favour of the King; Laws which the lieges favour down they fling, He sees, in fine, none love as all should love,29 save that which dealeth only ill delight: Nor for a longer time doth it behove to waive a punishment as dire as right. He bids his summoned Ministers to move armaments, fitted for that mortal fight he lists engage with yon misgovern’d crowd, that hath till now allegiance disavow’d. Of these small wingèd Impes a band is set30 to varied labours in their several crafts; these on the grindstone piercing piles to whet, and those to shave and thin the caney shafts: Soothes ev’ery labour love-sweet canzonet, wedding strange chances to the song that wafts sonorous melodies and roundels gay; suave is the song, angelical the lay. Th’ immortal Furnaces wherein they forgèd31 for their swift arrows points that penetrate, with fiery Hearts by way of fu’el are gorgèd, and Vitals vital still that palpitate: The temp’ering waves wherein the tips were mergèd, are lovers’ Tears in love unfortunate: The live bright light and never-failing fire is ever burning ne’er outburnt Desire. Some hied their dext’erous hands to exercise32 on the rude Vulgus’ hard unfeeling hearts: Re-echo’d through the welkin frequent sighs of victims smitten by the shaft that smarts: Fair be the Nymphs who deal the remedies dear to the hurts they deal, and such their arts, the sorely hurt not only they revive, but boon of life to life unborn they give. Beauteous the many, while the few are plain,33 consonant with the qual’ity of the wound; for to heal venom spread through ev’ery vein the bitter’est Theriacks oft the best are found. Many are doomèd aye to wear the chain by subtle bond of weirdest witch’ery bound: thus haps it mostly, when the darts acerb are armed and tinctured with the poyson-herb. And from such wilful shots discharged sans aim,34 wherewith those awkward Impes aye joy to play, arise a thousand loves that mar and maim the victims wounded in such wretched way: E’en of the Heroes boasting highest fame a thousand impious loves the sight dismay; Such was May Byblis, such the Cinyræan:[37] This Youth Assyrian born, and that Judæan.[38] Ye too, my Lordlings! oft have seen the hour35 when love of Shepherd-lass your souls hath smit; and ye, my Ladies! oft the couthless boor hath meshed your Ladyships in Vulcan-net. These waiting nocturns to the tryst fain scour, those scale the casements and o’er pantiles flit: Yet hold I mainly that such loves indign are more the Mother’s than the Son’s design. Now the light char’iot on the green depose36 the pure white Cygnets, slowly softly wending; and Dionæa, who conjoinèd shows roses in waste of snows, is seen descending. Her Bowyer-son who dareth Heav’en oppose, to greet her hasteth with douce smile unbending; while of the little Cupid lads a band crowdeth to kiss the Queen of Beauty’s hand. She, to save precious time from vanities,37 whispers the Boy embosom’d in her arms confident thus:—“Dear Son whose hand supplies the firmest footing of my chiefest charms; Son! on whose pow’ers my power aye relies; thou, holding cheap Typhœus’ dread alarms, her force by thine t’ enforce, an urgent case bringeth thy mother to bespeak thy grace.” “The Lusitanick toils well hast thou ken’d,38 whom I for ages watch with tenderest guise. Since sware the Parcæ unto me, their friend, they shall adore my name, my favour prize; and, as their feats of armèd prowess shend all feats of rival Rome, I lief devise some mode of aidance in what things I may, far as our force o’er man extendeth sway. “And, seen how hateful Bacchus hath beguile’d,39 with mortal plots, their course on Indic plain, and how by wavy Ocean’s injuries foil’d rather than tirèd they were lost or slain: I will that in this sea to them so wild, ’mid ever restless waves their rest be tane: Here shall they gather guerdon sweet and glorious of toils that make the names of men memorious. “Wherefore I pray thee, Son! forthwith go fire40 the Nereus-maidens on their deep-sea ground; burn they with Lusian love, bring warm desire to these Explorers of a world new found, all in an Islet joined in glorious choir, an Isle unknown in Ocean-depths profound embowel’d, I will haste on high to raise where lovely Flora with her Zephyr plays: “There with a thousand sherbets, odorous wine,41 delicious viands, perfumed breath of roses, in sing’ular scenes of palace chrystalline, fair couches, fairer what on couch reposes; with thousand joys unvulgar shall, in fine, each Nymph await the Brave her fancy chooses and all love-smitten, longing to bestow what Hope can figure, or what eyes can show. “’Tis my good will that in the Neptune-reign,42 my place of birth, a fair brave race be born, which a shrewd proof shall be to worlds malign, and to the rebels who thine empire scorn; that nought shall save, ne mure adamantine ne triste Hypocrisy, these men forsworn: Ne’er shall these earth-things hope their selves to save when burn immortal Love-fires ’neath the wave.” Thus willeth Venus and her wilful Boy43 obeys, and flies to see her will be done; he bids them bring his bow of ivory, with golden-headed arrows many a one: The Cyprian with glad gest of wanton joy within her chariot receives her son; and slacks the bridles for the Birds whose song the Phaëtonian death wailed loud and long. But Cupid warneth that still wants their scheme44 a famous Go-between of high degree who, though a thousand times she baulked his aim, a thousand times firm friend prefer’d to be. Gigantia was the Goddess, daring dame, vain-glorious, boastful, false and true was she who sees with hundred eyne, flies every where and that she sees a thousand tongues declare. They wend to seek and send her on in state,45 to blow her trumpet of the clearest strain; and so the wandering Braves to celebrate, as never mortals could such praises gain: Now Fame, with murm’uring sounds that penetrate, flies through the deepest grottos of the Main: and scatt’ereth Truth believèd true to be; for Fame’s own gossip is Credulity. These goodly lauds, and rumours excellent46 the hearts of God and Goddess, whilom firèd by Bacchus and to harm the Heroes bent, changed and with something likest love inspirèd. The fem’inine bosom, ever diligent in shifting will, of settled will soon tirèd, now crieth cru’elty, shame and over zeal for such high valour evil will to feel. Meanwhile the lither Lad had loosed his bow47 shaft urging shaft; loud groans from Ocean rise: They pierce point-blank the waves that restless flow these straight, those whirling in a spiral guise: The fair Nymphs fall and breathe the secret throe, the ’bosomed burthen of their burning sighs; each falls ere seen the face that makes her die, for oft the ear hath loved before the eye. Now of his iv’ory Lune the cusps drew near,48 with might and main th’ indomitable Boy, who fired at Tethys more than any fair, for-that was she to love the coyest coy. Now of its arrows is the quiver bare, nor lives in sea-plain Nymph her life to ’joy; and, if the wounded breathe a living breath ’tis but to savour that they strive with Death. Give way, ye tall cerulean waves, give way!49 for look ye, Venus brings her medicine, showing the snow-white belly’ing sails that stray o’er swelling crests of billows Neptunine: That thou reciprocal response convey, Oh ardent Love! to longings feminine, an honest modesty must ne’er withstand whatever Venus deigneth to command. Now the fair Nereid-choir itself enrol’d;50 and side by side the gentle bevy sped with tripping dances, usance known of old, straight for that Island whither Venus led: And there the Goddess ’gan to all unfold her thousand feats of loving hardihed: They, to be victims of sweet Love preparèd, each trick would try and dare whate’er she darèd. Cutting the broad highway the vessels ride51 o’er ample Ocean seeking Home’s dear shore, wishing but cool sweet water to provide for their long voyage briny waters o’er: When all attonce with start of joy descried Love’s Isle rise lovely stretched their eyes before, as bursting radiant through the morning air rose Memnon’s Mother delicately fair. The bien and bonny Isle afar they hail,52 by Venus wafted through the wavy flood, (e’en as the Zephyrs waft the snow-white sail) whither the sturdy Fleet fast sailing stood; and lest unheeding pass the crews, and fail there to take harbour as she willed they should, right on their courses threw her lovely bower that Acidalian of omnip’otent power. Firm and immobile she disposed it where53 she saw the seamen seek and shape their way; so fixt stood Delos when Latona bare Phœbus and her who joys in forestry. Thither the hurrying Prores thro’ Ocean tare where bends the seaboard in a little bay quiet and curved, upon whose snow-white sand her rosy shells strewed Cytheréa’s hand. Three fairy hillocks threefold headlets showèd54 swelling superbly gracious to the sight, whose greeny clothing grass-enamel’d glowèd, in that fair joyous Island of Delight: While glassy-clear three limpid fountains flowèd from peaks with gleaming verdure deckt and dight; and from the milk-white rocks derivèd flow fugitive wavelets, prattling as they go. Down a sweet dale that dints the hillocks, glide55 the sparkling waters to their trysting-place, and make a table of so fair a tide; never could Fancy such a landskip trace: O’erhang it graceful groves on ev’ry side like one who bendeth pranking form and face, and in the chrystal mirror joys to view his proper semblance and resemblance true. Skywards a thousand trees rise tall and straight,56 apple’d with od’orous fruitage passing rare: Here th’ Orange painteth on her dainty freight the hues that burnt in Daphné’s burnisht hair: Droops low crusht earthwards by her juicy weight, the Citron glowing with her saffron gear: Lemons with scented spherelets deckt and drest mock budding honours of the maiden’s breast. The forest-growths that clothe the hillocks trine57 with frondent ringlets fronts and heads array; Alcides’ Poplars with the Laurels twine loved by the laurel’d fair-faxt Lord of Day: and Cytheræa’s Myrtles with the Pine of Cybelé, to strange amour a prey: The spiring Cypress pointeth to the skies, where man hath built his air-based Paradise. Pomona’s choicest gifts spontaneous grow,58 and all in diff’erent taste and gust abound; no want of cult’uring hand these arbours know, withouten culture better fares the ground: Cherries with Tyrian tincture purpled glow; and Morus eke that mimicks Amor’s sound; while from her patrial Persia-land the Pome[39] flourisheth fairer in her foreign home. Gapes the Granado tints incarnadine59 whereby, O Ruby! shent is all thy sheen; ’braced by her husband-Elm the happy Vine beareth her berrièd birth, here red, there green. And ye, O Pears! if long your boughs design with luscious pyramids to deck the scene, busk ye to ’dure what hurt and harm may wreak to your soft flanks the Bird’s injurious beak. The gorgeous tapestry, rare colours blending60 and robing rustick earth with rainbow dye, makes Achæmenia’s[40] webs the less resplending, yet softer shades on sombre vales to lie. Here the Cephisian flow’er[41] his head low bending eyeth the lakelet lucid as the sky: There Cinyras’ grandson-son[42] still bleeds in bloom, and, Paphian goddess! still thou wail’st his doom. ’Twere hard, in sooth, to judge which case be true,61 where sim’ilar splendours mantle earth and air, if fair Aurora lend the flow’ers her hue, or if the flowers lend her hues so fair. There Zephyr aided Flora to bestrew Vi’olet with colours Love-wan lovers wear; with Iris red and freshest blooth of Rose, which on the Damsel’s cheek all beauteous glows: The snow-white Lily with the rory tear62 of Dawntide dripping, and the Mangerona:[43] Letters on hyacinthine leaves appear, Hyacinth loved by son of lone Latona: Each fruit and flow’ering Daisy shows full clear, that fain would Chloris rival with Pomona. Then, if the Birds disport on airy wing Earth has a joyaunce for each four-foot thing. Along the streamlet sings the snowy Swan,63 percht on her spraylet answereth Philomel: Startled Actæon stands no more to scan his horny forehead where the waters well; Here the fast lev’ret flies the hunter-man from densest thicket, or the shy gazelle: There hurrying homewards to her darling brood the light-wing’d Birdie bears the grateful food. ’Mid such a freshness swift-foot sprang aground64 our second Argonauts, far-left the Fleet, where in the wood-depths willing to be found strolled the fair Nymphs as though no fear they weet; These waked the Zitter’s soft pathetic sound, those made the Harp and Flute sing song as sweet; and bearing golden bows appeared a few the prey pursuing they did not pursue. Thus taught their Tut’oress in such teaching wise,65 to scatter careless o’er the hill and plain; so might the Barons see’ing a doubtful prize, first burn with hot desire the prize to gain. Some maids whose natural charms the veil despise, in pride of soveran Beauty justly vain, casting all Art’s adulteries aside, bathe their pure bodies in the pearly tide. But the stout seamen when their feet were set66 ashore, all hastenèd to greet the strand; nor was there any who his ship had quit sans hopes of finding game upon the land: None think such game that needs ne springe ne net on those fair hillocks thus would come to hand;— so bien, so bonny, so benign a prey by Venus cast love-wounded in their way. Some with the spingard armed and arbalest,67 hoping to slay the horny hart or hind, in sombre bosques and valleys hotly prest, determined Vert and Venerie to find: Others in shadows that high noon arrest from scorching verdant turf, to walk incline’d along the gentle riv’ulet’s grassy reach, o’er the white pebbles purling to the beach. Begin with sudden start the Youths to ’spy68 variegate colours glance through greeny boughs; colours that catch the judgment of man’s eye as not of nat’ural bloom, ne flow’er, ne rose; but fleecy laine and silk of diff’erent dye, Dress, that with double force Desire endows, wherein the human Rose herself enshrines, and, Art enhancing Nature, brighter shines. Loud cries Velloso, marv’elling at the sight:69 “My masters! wondrous game,” quoth he, “is this; if yet endure that olden Pagan rite, the Grove be sacred to the Goddesses: Here meet we more than what the human Sprite ever desirèd; and right well we wis excellent wonders and great things here lie by Nature veiled from Man’s imprudent eye. “Follow we fast these Goddesses, and speer70 an they be Fantasm or divine indeed!” Thus he; and, fleeter than the fleet-foot deer, all follow coursing o’er the riv’erine mead. Between the branches flying Nymphs appear, haply with more of hurry than of speed; and, slack’ening pace with shrieks and laughter gay, each yields her graces as her greyhound’s prey. From this the breezes golden tresses blow,71 from that the robe’s frail hem is reft aside: High burns Desire, enkindled by the snow of living loveliness so sudden ’spied. One falls apurpose, and her fall doth show by loving languor more than plaint or pride, she wills her follower stumble, falling o’er the lovely quarry on the pebbly shore. Others seek other places where the stream72 reveals of bathing Nymphs the secret charms: who startled ’gin to fly with shriek and scream, as though surprized by rude assault of arms. While others feigning to feel less esteem for fear and shame than force, veil false alarms, plunge in the brake and give to greedy eyes denied to grasping hands the goodly prize. That, who in hurry to resume contrives73 the modesty that marks the Hunter-maid hides in the wave her limbs; another strives to snatch the garment on the stream-bank laid. Youngling there is who in the river dives all clad and booted (lest too long delay’d by doffing garments he should miss the game), to quench in water Love’s consuming flame. As Hound of Hunter, crafty beast and ware,74 taught cripples to retrieve from brook or tarn, seeing the steely tube upraised in air; cov’ering the well-known quarry, duck or hern; ere heard the crack, uneath the sight to bear he plungeth, certain praise and prize to earn, and swimmeth barking: Thus the Brave made free to seize the Fair,—no Phœbus’ sister she! Le’onard, a soldier whom good gifts adorn,75 a knightly Belamour and delicate, who was not once the prey of Cupid’s scorn, but ever dree’d Love’s life-long spite and hate; he, who so long believed he was not born to Love-luck being e’er unfortunate, not that he held all Hope beyond his range when Destiny shall deign his doom to change: Here willed his Fortune, he should wing his way76 chasing the fairest Daughter of the Wave, Ephýre, lief to make him dearly pay that which for giving Nature to her gave. Spent by the race he stayed his steps to say:— “O thou too beauteous cruelty to crave, when of my life the palm to thee is dight, ah! wait this body since thou hast its sprite!” “All rest of running weary, Nymph divine!77 Each yields her wishes to her en’emy’s will; Why to the wood alone fly only mine? Who told thee I am I, who chase thee still? If told thee so mine angry doom malign, which allwheres dogs me always to mine ill, believe it not, e’en I when I believèd, each hour a thousand times my heart deceivèd. “Tire not thyself, to tire me; for if I78 must chase those flying charms and chase in vain, such is my Fortune an thou wait and try her will perverse shall never gar me gain. Wait! if thou will I would again descry, what subtle mode of ’scape for thee remain, and thou in fine shalt note, and fain confess so, Tra la spiga e la man qual muro è messo.[44] “Ah, fly me not! E’en so may Time foot-fleet79 ne’er from thy youthful beauties urge his flight! For only stay the twinkling of thy feet and thou shalt vanquish Fortune’s dure despight. What Emp’eror, nay what mighty Host dare meet the force array’d by Chance’s furious might, which in whate’er I wished still hounds my way, this canst thou do, thou only, an thou stay? “Wouldst in my roll of foes thyself enrol?80 To back the stronger is not bravely done! Wouldst steal my lib’eral heart that was so whole? Loose it me then, the faster thou shalt run! Burthens thee not this Soul, my mesquin Soul, which in those threads of glancing gold bespun, tangled thou bearest? or thus won the prize, hast lightened Fortune which so heavy lies? “In this sole Esp’erance thee, my Fair, I chase;81 that or thou weary her sad load to bear; or haply shall thy Beauty’s magick grace have power to change her sour malignant Star: And if thus change she, cease this useless race, for Love shall smite thee, gentle Ladye fair: And thou shalt wait when Love shall smite thee sore; and if thou wait what wait I, want I more?” No longer fled the lovely Nymph, to play82 her sad pursuer’s heart, her pow’er to try; as still to revel in the lovely lay which told the soldier’s loving agony: Bending her brow that beamed a holy ray, all bathed with sweetest smiles of gentle joy, she falls a victim at the victor’s feet, melted with purest love by dear defeat. Ah me! what hungry kissings wake the wood!83 What choirs in suavest unison acclaim! What pretty pettings! What coy pettish mood which pleasant laughter presently became! What Morn and Noontide saw and understood, as Venus joyed her lovers’ joys to ’flame, were better far t’ experience not to judge, yet judge it he whose Fate such boon shall grudge. This way in fine conform the fair and bright84 Nymphs, and each Bride with love her Groom endowers, all heads are crowned with chaplets of delight, of bays and gold and amaranthine flowers: Their soft white palms they prest in wedded plight: With formal phrase and stipulating powers that pledge for endless time their mutual Faith, honour and joyaunce, till life end in Death. One, chiefest She, whose mandate proudly led85 the Nymphs, obedient vassals of her throne, Cœlus and Vesta’s progeny ’twas said, as by her queenly bearing might be known; who over Earth and Ocean glamour shed, the noble Captain, digne such boon to own, with honest princely pomp comes forth to greet as for such great egregious Ladye meet: And, told the station and the name of her,86 in high exordium with high grace ornate, her cause of coming ’gan to him prefer, by the high influ’ence of immobile Fate; and ope before his eyne the gen’eral sphere of vasty regions, seas unnavigate, the secret knowledge couched in prophecy, which he and his alone deserved to see; Taking his hand in hers she guides her guest87 straight to a tow’ering head of Hill divine, whereof a splendid Pleasaunce is the crest, plated with purest gold and chrystal shine. Therein the greater part of day they rest where loving play and lasting pleasures reign: The Queen enjoys her loves in palace-bowers, the Nymphs in sylvan shades amid the flowers. Thus Fair and Brave in fittest union meet,88 while minute by the merry hours of light; and taste the genial gladness rare as sweet which their long labours and dark days turn bright: Man’s high heroick deed, and daring feat of famous force, the World shall aye requite with guerdon merited, and boon sublime,— a Name and Fame that stand the test of Time. For, all our Ocean-maids so fair, so sprightful,89 Tethys, and eke her Isle of angel-ground, None other thing be they, but the delightful Honours that make our human life renown’d: That high pre-em’inence and that glory rightful are but the Triumphs, and the brows becrown’d with Palms and Bay-wreaths, wond’ering gaze and praise: Such the delights my fabled Isle displays; These Immortalities,—in young world feignèd90 by men who cherisht toils of noble aim, there on Olympus’ star-lit heights, attainèd on inclyt wings that soar to deathless Fame, whose Deeds of Derring-do the guerdon gainèd, by dint of endless toil and moil we name the Path of Virtue, stony, steep t’ ascend, but joyous-glad, delicious-sweet at end: Were nought but prizes brother-men impart91 in change for Feats immortal, sovereign, to that baronial Host, whose Arm and Art made to be Gods that had been only men: Jupiter, Phœbus, Mercury, and Mart, Æneas, Rom’ulus, and the Theban twain, Ceres, Diana, Juno, Pallas, were but human flesh to human weakness heir. Yet Fame, that trumpet of Man’s high emprize,92 on Earth bestowed them names of strange estate, Godheads, and deathless Semi-deities, Indigetes and Heroes, “Grand” and “Great.” Wherefore, oh, ye! who Fame’s fair guerdon prize, if in the World with these ye lief would mate, awake from Slumber, shake off Sloth ignave that sinks Man’s freeborn soul to soul of slave. And bridle Av’arice-sin with iron bit,93 rein that Ambition which o’er-reigns your race in thousand fashions, and the base conceit of vicious Tyr’anny breeding vile disgrace: Such tinkling honours, gold so counterfeit, to true and honest worth ne’er raised the base: Better to merit and the meed to miss, than, lacking merit, every meed possess. Or give us Peace, and Laws impartial deal,94 that baulk the rich from plund’ering poorer men; or cloak your forms in coats of flashing steel, and crush the law of hostile Saracen: Thus shall your valour raise the Commonweal all gaining ampler, none a smaller gain; deservèd riches shall to you be rife with Honours, alt-relief of human life. Thus shall ye serve the King ye love so dear95 now with your proffer’d counsels sagely bold then by the Sword, that shall your names uprear to dizzy heights where trod your sires of old: To ’tempt impossibilities forbear; who wills aye finds a way; and thus enrol’d, your names shall rival this heroick band, and gain fair greeting in Dame Venus’ land.