Why not of her? Preferr'd above the resty By him with Knightly Deeds, and open Love profess'd?

So had another been; where he his Vows address'd.

390

This quell'd her Pride, yet other Doubts remain'd,

That once disdaining she might be disdain'd:

The Fear was just, but greater Fear prevail'd, Fear of her Life by bellish Hounds assail'd: He took a low'ring leave; but who can tell What outward Hate might inward Love conceal ?

Her Sexes Arts she knew, and why not then Might deep dissembling have a place in Men? Here Hope began to dawn; resolv'd to try,) She fix'd on this her utmost Remedy; 400

'Twas time enough at last on Death to call ; The Precipice in sight, a Shrub was all, That kindly stood betwixt to break the fatal fall.

One Maid she had, belov'd above the rest: Secure of her, the Secret she confess'd: And now the chearful Light her Fears dispell'd,

She with no winding turns the Truth conceal'd,

But put the Woman off, and stood reveal'd:

With Faults confess'd commission'd her to go,

410

If Pity yet had place, and reconcile her Foe.

The welcom Message made, was soon receiv'd ;

'Twas what he wish'd, and hop'd, but scarce believ'd;

Fate seem'd a fair occasion to present, He knew the Sex, and fear'd she might repent,

Should he delay the moment of Consent. There yet remain'd to gain her Friends (a Care

The modesty of Maidens well might spare ;) But she with such a Zeal the Cause embrac'd,

(As Women where they will, are all in hast,)

420

That Father, Mother, and the Kin beside,
Were overborn by Fury of the Tide:
With full consent of all, she chang'd her
State,

Resistless in her Love, as in her Hate.

By her Example warn'd, the rest beware; More Easy, less Imperious, were the Fair; And that one Hunting which the Devil design'd,

For one fair Female, lost him half the Kind.

403 sight, al sight: A 1700.

In Malice witty, and with Venom fraught, He makes me speak the Things I never thought.

Compute the Gains of his ungovern'd Zeal; Ill sutes his Cloth the Praise of Railing well! The World will think that what we loosly

write,

Tho' now arraign'd, he read with some delight;

Because he seems to chew the Cud again, When his broad Comment makes the Text too plain,

CYMON AND IPHIGENIA.

1 Ladies] Christie and Saintsbury give lady's Some editors give ladies' There can be no

to be

Horace, Car, iii. 26. 1.

We were at worst but Wanton; he's
Obscene.

I, nor my fellows, nor my Self excuse;
But Love's the Subject of the Comick Muse:
Nor can we write without it, nor would you
A Tale of only dry Instruction view;
Nor Love is always of a vicious Kind,
But oft to virtuous Acts inflames the Mind,
Awakes the sleepy Vigour of the Soul,
And, brushing o'er, adds Motion to the
Pool.
30

Love, studious how to please, improves our
Parts,

With polish'd Manners, and adorns with Arts.

Love first invented Verse, and form'd the Rhime,

The Motion measur'd, harmoniz'd the Chime;

To lib'ral Acts inlarg'd the narrow-Soul'd, Soften'd the Fierce, and made the Coward Bold:

The World when wast, he Peopled with increase,

And warring Nations reconcil'd in Peace. Ormond, the first, and all the Fair may find) In this one Legend to their Fame design'd, When Beauty fires the Blood, how Love ( exalts the Mind.

4I

The ruling Rod, the Father's forming Care,

Were exercis'd in vain, on Wit's despair; The more inform'd the less he understood, And deeper sunk by flound'ring in the Mud.

Now scorn'd of all, and grown the publick Shame,

The people from Galesus changed his name, And Cymon call'd, which signifies a Brute; So well his Name did with his Nature sute.

His Father, when he found his Labour lost,

And Care employ'd that answer'd not the Cost,

70

Chose an ungrateful Object to remove, And loath'd to see what Nature made him love;

So to his Country-Farm the Fool confin'd: Rude Work well suted with a rustick Mind. Thus to the Wilds the sturdy Cymon went, A Squire among the Swains, and pleas'd with Banishment.

His Corn, and Cattle, were his only Care, And his supreme Delight a Country-Fair. It happen'd on a Summers Holiday, That to the Greenwood-shade he took his way; 80

For Cymon shunn'd the Church, and us'd not much to Pray.

His Quarter Staff, which he cou'd ne'er forsake,

Hung half before, and half behind his Back. He trudg'd along unknowing what he sought,

And whistled as he went, for want of Thought.

By Chance conducted, or by Thirst constrain'd,

The deep Recesses of the Grove he gain'd; Where, in a Plain, defended by the Wood," Crept through the matted Grass a Chrystal Flood,

By which an Alabaster Fountain stood: 90. And on the Margin of the Fount was laid (Attended by her Slaves) a sleeping Maid Like Dian and her Nymphs, when, tir'd with Sport,

To rest by cool Eurotas they resort:

Her Body shaded with a slight Cymarr; Her Bosom to the view was only bare: Where two beginning Paps were scarcely spy'd

For yet their Places were but signify'd: The fanning Wind upon her Bosom blows, To meet the fanning Wind the Bosom rose; The fanning Wind, and purling Streams continue her repose.

The Fool of Nature, stood with stupid Eyes

And gaping Mouth, that testify'd Surprize, Fix'd on her Face, nor cou'd remove his Sight,

New as he was to Love, and Novice in Delight: 110 Long mute he stood, and leaning on his Staff, His Wonder witness'd with an Ideot laugh; Then would have spoke, but by his glimmering Sense

First found his want of Words, and fear'd Offence:

Doubted for what he was he should be known,

By his Clown-Accent and his Country-Tone. Through the rude Chaos thus the running Light

Shot the first Ray that pierc'd the Native Night:

Then Day and Darkness in the Mass were mix'd,

Till gather'd in a Globe, the Beams were fix'd:

120 Last shon the Sun who, radiant in his Sphere

Illumin'd Heav'n, and Earth, and 'rowl'd around the Year.

So Reason in this Brutal Soul began:
Love made him first suspect he was a Man;
Love made him doubt his broad barbarian
Sound;

By Love his want of Words and Wit he found;

That sense of want prepar'd the future way To Knowledge, and disclos'd the promise

of a Day.

What not his Father's Care, nor Tutor's Art

Cou'd plant with Pains in his unpolish'd Heart,

130

The best Instructor Love at once inspir'd,
As barren Grounds to Fruitfulness are fir'd;
Love taught him Shame, and Shame with
Love at Strife

Soon taught the sweet Civilities of Life ;
His gross material Soul at once could find
Somewhat in her excelling all her Kind:
Exciting a Desire till then unknown,
Somewhat unfound, or found in her alone,
This made the first Impression in his Mind,
Above, but just above, the Brutal Kind. 140
For Beasts can like, but not distinguish too,
Nor their own liking by reflection know;
Nor why they like or this, or t'other Face,
Or judge of this or that peculiar Grace ;
But love in gross, and stupidly admire ;
As Flies allur'd by Light, approach the
Fire.

Thus our Man-Beast advancing by degrees First likes the whole, then sep'rates what he sees;

On sev'ral Parts a sev'ral Praise bestows, The ruby Lips, the well-proportion'd Nose, The snowy Skin, in Raven-glossy Hair, 151 The dimpled Cheek, the Forehead rising fair,

And ev'n in Sleep it self a smiling Air. From thence his Eyes descending view'd the rest,

Her plump round Arms, white Hands, and heaving Breast.

Long on the last he dwelt, though ev'ry part

A pointed Arrow sped to pierce his Heart.

Thus in a trice a Judge of Beauty grown, (A Judge erected from a Country-Clown) He long'd to see her Eyes in Slumber hid, And wish'd his own cou'd pierce within the Lid: 161

He wou'd have wak'd her, but restrain'd his Thought,

And Love new-born the first good Manners taught.

An awful Fear his ardent Wish withstood, Nor durst disturb the Goddess of the Wood; For such she seem'd by her celestial Face, Excelling all the rest of human Race:

139 in] The editors wrongly give on

And Things divine, by common Sense he knew,

Must be devoutly seen at distant view :
So checking his Desire, with trembling
Heart
170
Gazing he stood, nor would, nor could depart;
Fix'd as a Pilgrim wilder'd in his way,
Who dares not stir by Night for fear to
stray;

But stands with awful Eyes to watch the dawn of Day.

At length awaking, Iphigene the fair (So was the Beauty call'd who caus'd his Care)

Unclos'd her eyes, and double Day reveal'd, While those of all her Slaves in Sleep were seal'd.

The slavering Cudden, prop'd upon his Staff,

Stood ready gaping with a grinning Laugh, To welcome her awake, nor durst begin 181 To speak, but wisely kept the Fool within. Then she: What make you Cymon here alone?

(For Cymon's name was round the Country known,

Because descended of a noble Race,
And for a Soul ill sorted with his Face.)

But still the Sot stood silent with Surprize, With fix'd regard on her new open'd Eyes, And in his Breast receiv'd th' invenom'd Dart,

A tickling Pain that pleas'd amid the Smart. But conscious of her Form, with quick

distrust

191

She saw his sparkling Eyes, and fear'd his brutal Lust :

This to prevent, she wak'd her sleepy Crew, And rising hasty took a short Adieu.

Then Cymon first his rustick Voice essay'd, With proffer'd Service to the parting Maid To see her safe; his Hand she long deny'd, But took at length, asham'd of such a Guide. So Cymon led her home, and leaving there, No more wou'd to his Country Clowns repair, 200 But sought his Father's House, with better Mind,

Refusing in the Farm to be confin'd.

The Father wonder'd at the Son's return, And knew not whether to rejoice or mourn; But doubtfully receiv'd, expecting still To learn the secret Causes of his alter'd Will.

Nor was he long delay'd: the first Request) Hemade,was,like his Brothers to be dress'd, And, as his Birth requir'd, above the rest.

With ease his Sute was granted by his Syre, Distinguishing his Heir by rich Attire: 211 His Body thus adorn'd, he next design'd With lib'ral Arts to cultivate his Mind; He sought a Tutor of his own accord, And study'd Lessons he before abhorr'd. Thus the Man-Child advanc'd, and learned so fast,

That in short time his Equals he surpass'd: His brutal Manners from his Breast exil'd, His Mien he fashion'd, and his Tongue he fil'd;

220

In ev'ry Exercise of all admir'd, He seem'd, nor only seem'd but was inspir'd:

Inspir'd by Love, whose Business is to please;

He Rode, he Fenc'd, he moved with graceful Ease,

More fam'd for Sense, for courtly Carriage

The dusky Parts he clear'd, the gross refin'd; The drowsy wak'd; and as he went impress'd

The Maker's Image on the human Beast.
Thus was the Man amended by Desire,
And, tho' he lov'd perhaps with too much
Fire,

His Father all his Faults with Reason scan'd, And lik'd an error of the better Hand; Excus'd th' excess of Passion in his Mind, By Flames too fierce, perhaps too much refin'd: 239

So Cymon, since his Sire indulg'd his Will,
Impetuous lov'd, and would be Cymon still;
Galesus he disown'd, and chose to bear
The Name of Fool confirm'd, and Bishop'd
by the Fair.

233 Beast All the English editors change ludicrous error. this word into Breast, a most thoughtless and

To Cipseus by his Friends his Sute he mov'd,

Cipseus the Father of the Fair he lov'd:
But he was pre-ingag'd by former Ties,
While Cymon was endeav'ring to be wise
And Iphigene, oblig'd by former Vows,
Had giv'n her Faith to wed a Foreign Spouse:
Her Sire and She to Rhodian Pasimond, 250
Tho' both repenting, were by Promise
bound,

Nor could retract; and thus, as Fate decreed,
Tho' better lov'd, he spoke too late to speed.
The Doom was past, the Ship already sent
Did all his tardy Diligence prevent:
Sigh'd to her self the fair unhappy Maid,
While stormy Cymon thus in secret said:
The time is come for Iphigene to find
The Miracle she wrought upon my Mind:
Her Charms have made me Man, her ravish'd
Love

260 In rank shall place me with the Bless'd above. For mine by Love, by Force she shall be mine,

Or Death, if Force should fail, shall finish my Design.

Resolv'd he said: And rigg'd with speedy Care

A Vessel strong, and well equipp'd for War. The secret Ship with chosen Friends he stor'd,

And bent to die, or conquer, went aboard. Ambush'd he lay behind the Cyprian Shore, Waiting the Sail that all his Wishes bore; Nor long expected, for the following Tide 270 Sent out the hostile Ship and beauteous Bride.

To Rhodes the Rival Bark directly steer'd, When Cymon sudden at her Back appear'd, And stop'd her Flight: Then standing on his Prow

In haughty Terms he thus defy'd the Foe: Or strike your Sails at Summons, or prepare To prove the last Extremities of War.

Thus warn'd, the Rhodians for the Fight provide ;

Already were the Vessels Side by Side, These obstinate to save, and those to seize the Bride. 280

But Cymon soon his crooked Grapples cast, Which with tenacious hold his Foes embrac'd,

And arm'd with Sword and Shield, amid the Press he pass'd.

Fierce was the Fight, but hast'ning to his Prey,

By force the furious Lover freed his way: Himself alone dispers'd the Rhodian Crew, The Weak disdain'd, the Valiant overthrew ; Cheap Conquest for his following Friends remain'd,

He reap'd the Field, and they but only glean'd. 289

His Victory confess'd, the Foes retreat, And cast their Weapons at the Victor's Feet. Whom thus he chear'd: O Rhodian Youth, I fought

For Love alone, nor other Booty sought;
Your Lives are safe; your Vessel I resign.
Yours be your own, restoring what is mine:
In Iphigene I claim my rightful Due,
Rob'd by my Rival, and detain'd by you:
Your Pasimond a lawless Bargain drove,
The Parent could not sell the Daughters
Love;

Or if he cou'd, my Love disdains the Laws,
And like a King by Conquest gains his
Cause;

301

Where Arms take place, all other Pleas are vain ;

Love taught me Force, and Force shall Love maintain.

You, what by Strength you could not keep, release,

And at an easy Ransom buy your Peace.

Fear on the conquer'd Side soon sign'd

th' Accord,

310

And Iphigene to Cymon was restor❜d:
While to his Arms the blushing Bride he took,
To seeming Sadness she compos'd her Look;
As if by Force subjected to his Will,
Tho' pleas'd, dissembling, and a Woman still.
And, for she wept, he wip'd her falling Tears,
And pray'd her to dismiss her empty Fears;
For yours I am, he said, and have deserv'd
Your Love much better, whom so long I
serv'd,

Than he to whom your formal Father ty'd
Your Vows; and sold a Slave, not sent a
Bride.

Thus while he spoke, he seiz'd the willing Prey,

As Paris bore the Spartan Spouse away: Faintly she scream'd, and ev'n her Eyes confess'd

320 She rather would be thought, than was distress'd.