Minervas Laureate breaths, whose face
Is heere acquainted first with brass:
His lofty stile, yet smooth and trim,
Can make ev'n Tumours beauteous seem
Romes Orpheus, who creates a GROVE,
Which t'o thers Musicke could but move:
Singing Thebes's Ruines, hee does teach
The listning stones to mend the breach
Wouldst know him! read his straines Thoust find
This shews his face, but Those his Mind.
AN ESSAY UPON STATIVS: OR, THE FIVE FIRST BOOKS OF PVBL: PAPINIVS STATIVS his THEBAIS.
Done into English Verse By T. S. With the Poetick History Illustrated.
JUVENAL. Sat. 7.
Tunc par ingenio pretium: nunc utile multis
Pallere, & toto vinum nescire Decembri.
LONDON, Printed for Richard Royston, at the Angel in Ivy-Lane. 1648.
NOBILI AMICORUM PARI, Do. GULIELMO PASTON BARONETTO, ET Do. GULIELMO D'OYLY EQV: AVRATO, MVSARVM EXVLVM ASYLIS, ET RELIGIONIS PROFLIGATAE ASSERTORIBVS, PATRONIS EIVS PLVRIMVM HONORANDIS, THOMAS STEPHENS VOTO ET MANCIPI CLIENS ADDICTISSIMUS, HASCE STATIANAS PRIMITIAS, IN GRATI ANIMI TESTIMONIUM, L. M. M.M.D.D.C.Q.
To the ingenuous Reader.
READER,
THou art here presented with a piece of Statius metaphrased: The Authour was twice crowned Laureate, in the most Po [...]ticke, and best judging Times. It is not the least part of his glory, that he deserv'd Juvenals envy, as some judiciously suspect the applauding Satyrist. I intend to pick no quarrels with his Name or Country: but shall be well satisfied, if thy courtesie will allow him to be Naturaliz'd amongst us. For those Criticall pens which have published their ingenious disputes, between Ursulus and Surculus, (although, I conceive, neither were of kin to our Statius) would have deserv'd better of the Common-wealth of Learning, if they had held a torch to the darke and mysterious places of the Poem: Which, I dare say, would not be so much neglected, but that it is so little understood. The subject matter of the worke, is the most ancient of any History recorded by the Poets: And were it not preserv'd in our Authour, it had been, long since, worne out by Time: Appearing now like old ruines, which preserve the memory of a place, although the forme be wholly d [...]cay'd. For those a teeming wits, which have been delivered [Page] of Poems on the same subject, (the comparing of which, would have been the best light to an interpreter:) have nothing but their Names, now remaining The iniquity of Time! which has not onely defaced Thebes, but rob'd us of that Poesy which might repaire it: at least with paper-wals, more lasting then Amphions stones.
The translation was meditated, midst all the clamour and imployments of a publike Schoole; and so, cannot be so accomplish'd, as might be expected from a vacant retirednesse. And, when I shall tell thee, that it was intended for a help to my Scholars, for understanding the Poet, thou wilt not wonder at my marginall explications of the Poetick story. Those grander proficients, who have digested that in their owne braines, may save themselves a labour of glancing on them: (I would provoke no man to looke asquint:) For others that want bladders, however in honour perhaps they had rather sinke, safety will perswade them to swim with this inferiour help.
I know the common Fate of Translations, which are seldome read intire, but by snatches; and such pieces onely, as are pre-judg'd by the critick Reader, where the Translatour is sentenc'd, according as he jumps with the others fancy. Yet censure me as thou wilt: So I benefit any, I have my end: And if any thing here prove satisfactory to my candid, ingenuous Friends, it will incourage my progresse in that worke, which otherwise here receives its period. Farewell.
In Statium omnibus numeris accurate Anglica Poesi donatum, a doctissimo viro D [...]o. Stephens.
—Nee diguius unqu [...]m
Majestas meminit ses [...] Romana lo [...]utam.
Claudian.
Quis novus hic Hermes vatem felicibus umbris
Evocat? & Lucim [...] cultore superbum
Elysi [...] viduat? Manes, quibus esse sodalis
Dignatus [...], m [...]rent; passim innuba laurus,
Et P [...]bi [...] marcent myrti, florentqu [...] cupressi.
Post C [...]m quisn [...]m Vencrem teniaret Apellem?
Hoc facts! Authoris tamen hic Veneres, Charitesque
Spirat, & in vers [...] redivivus Statius omni.
Enibeus ille calor vatis migravit, & in Te
Congestus: major collectis viribus exit.
Atque erit [...]mbiginon populo fortasse nepotum,
Interpres potius fueris dicendus, an Author.
Tam similis vix ipse sui est: Sic garrula vocem
Nympha refert, repetitque sonos, [...]inguae aemula nostrae.
Non adeo similes, peperit quos Led [...], gemelli;
Lactea utrique coma est, par frons, cadémque genarum
Purpura, consimiles acceudunt lumina flammae.
Thebanae portenta domus, Iocasta marito
Quos peperie fra [...]res, confusae aenigmata stirpis
(Heu! male virgineam quae incestant nomi [...]a chartam)
Dum recitas, alto superas ea monstra Cothurno.
Argia & Deiphile.
Si pulchras pingas (fucus decet iste) puellas;Si non illarum, flagramus amore Poetae:
A facie nullae, veniunt sed ab Arte sagittae,
Lib. 2.
Sin [...] celebres, & casti federa lecti,Frigida corripitur ta [...] purâ [...]oe [...]ia flammâ,
Imactaque rapi velle [...], vel spoute Sabinae.
Personat & jam festus Hymen, ducuntur ad aras
Nativoque crocus mutatur sanguinis ostre.
Sponsae, virginco [...] pepla rubore.
Lib. [...].
Sive sitim ca [...]es, nobis sitis alicrae crescit,(Tan [...]ah [...] hi [...] [...]ieri quis [...]llet▪ sola levare
Ham Aga [...]ip [...]ae pot [...]rit Permessidos unda.
Quo pede [...]apisti fauste pergas, iterúmque
Th [...]bam surgent meliore Amphioue muri.
Reginaldus Bekenham.
To his approved friend, and late reverend Master Mr. Thomas Stephens on his judicious, and incomparable Translation of Statius.
DIamonds forme diamonds: who'd know the just
Length of your worth, by your own labours must
Take measure. Honour to my verse it is
(Admired Sir) to dawnei'th' frontispice
And usher day, which flowers in each page
Of your learn'd Paraphrase: which should my rage
(Misguiding-folly rather) fondly praise
'Bove the deserving text and Authors bayes,
Sweare th' anger kindled in the brethrens pile,
Duels more sprightly in an English stile,
'Twould injure him and you. To overdraw
Were errour in Apelles 'gainst the Law
Imagery commands, since in these arts
The beauty of the liknesse wonder darts,
And makes the miracle, Hence flowes your fame,
We can but onely say 'tis not the same.
The short-liv'd issues then of such, whose braine
Needes others workes as bladders in the maine
Of wit and fancy, these we terme Translation;
You [...]'s brooke no other Title then creation.
From the old Latin stock new stemmes are sprung▪
Statius new borne, speakes a new mother tongue.
Live then bright Suns of Masculine Poetry
Phoenix and heire at once, Parelii.
These and all else are weake, except that one
Betweene your selves there's no comparison.
Rob: Baldocke.
To my honoured friend Mr. Thomas Stephens on his admirable Comment and Translation of the first five bookes of the Thebaids.
ARt, Sir, workes miracles: she can Revive
Men dead, in years and Fame, and bid them Live;
And speake a Language which they knew not, and
More sense perhaps, then They did understand.
(Some Comments courteously bely, and wit
Authors into more Raptures, then they writ.)
Your Statius ne're knew English sure: scarce we
Know it our selves, but by Dictionary;
'Tis so new cast, and molded, we oft looke
For our owne Mother-tongue i'th' constring-booke:
Yet here he speakes't so in the mode and trim,
The Finers selves envy both you, and him;
Who is your debter for his stuffe, and glase;
His text owes wit unto your Paraphrase.
Which you so turn'd, wrought, sweat untill you hit
What Statius in English should have writ.
Which cost you so oft watchings, it pleads right
To shine now: Day's due, after so many nights.
Five Bookes, so absolutely just, and best,
There's nothing wanting to them, but the rest:
For Comment and Translation so agree,
They shew the Beauty, and they helpe us see.
Strange Artist! who doest thus miraculously
Paint Shapes: And then paint'st Day to view them by.
Clem: Paman.
To his much honoured friend, and late reverend Master, Mr. Thomas Stephens, on his deserving Translation of Statius.
THe world's refin'd, we see; and golden wits
Spring up i'th' iron age; more tersenesse sits
On Pallas's smoother brow; and every river
Can nobler streames then Helicon deliver.
If so, why are those a Festivals forbid
That crown'd our Author? where's the baies that did
Inrich his glorious head? shall vertue rise
To a higher pitch, and have a cheaper price?
Yet with neglect there's safety: Seldome's praise
Secure, but aemulation blasts the baies.
If thou wrot'st Laureate too, others we see
Have envy'd Him, his Ghost would envy Thee.
Pereg: D'oyly.
To his highly esteemed friend, Mr. Thomas Stephens, on his incomparable Translation of Statius.
WE thanke you (Noble Sir) you've caus'd to be,
What we have wish'd, but yet despair to see:
Statius translated; One, all Sphinx to us,
Till we had met with Thee, an O Edipus.
T'incounter whom, 'tis far more glory then
Tydeus his conquering of the fifty Men.
And thus Etheocles with his Brother, are
In Thee more glorious, then in Thebes they were.
Thou writest of Princes, yet I'de rather be
Authour, then subject of thy Poetry:
And yet be Prince too; since thou art of all
Minerva's traine, the [...]it imperiall.
The Muses here had ne're been free from doubt,
Had'st no [...] Thou Hermes come to helpe them out.
'Tis that which raises wonder to thy Booke.
To see therein light out of darknesse strooke.
Lucan and Ovid, with such easie men,
Are a fit worke for a meere Rimers pen:
And cryptick Iuvenal, though darke he be,
We see unnighted is by Farnaby.
'This makes me praise thy choice; thou'st ta'ne a Poet,
Which to translate, is to be Author of it.
For had we not thy clear invention seen,
Statius to us had not half publish'd been.
Methinkes, I hear the Authours ghost repine,
To see his owne worke thus out-vied by thine.
Now let dull Rabbies, that learne nothing better,
Then to pick quarrels with an Hebrew letter;
(Of which crook'd Characters, to find the way,
They make their faces more deform'd, then They:)
Let them contemne thy Booke: Thy Noble straines
Are made for clever, and unwrinckled braines.
Go on; make up the rest; and let us know
The perfect height, that Art can reach unto:
That so the learned World may owe Thee more
Then to the Authors selfe it did before.
When thou hast thus displaid the Thebane war,
'Twill be more during, then tis Ancient far.
Thomas Poley.
In eruditissimum Statianae Thebaidos interpretem, olim Praeceptorem ejus observandum.
QUaliter in mundi votis, aviúmque querelis,
Nata recèns, surgit gratior inde dies:
It meliore comá, flavos spondétque capillos,
Lanugo tenerae lucis, Apollo, tuae:
Nostratis Stati, sic dum crepuscula spargis,
Optamus totam, quae sine nube, diem:
Sylvae ut detonsae, coelo videantur aperto;
Nulla sit obscuro textilis umbra loco.
Sic erit; & Iaetam faciet nunc Statius urbem:
Thebais & populo fiet amica uovo.
Gulielmus Copinger.
To his ingenious friend Mr. Tho: Stephens concerning his judicious Translation of Statius his Thebais.
I'M not ambitious that the Presse should sweate
In torturing the harmelesse Alphabet
To print my rurall Genius; nor do I
Pride it to list my common Poetry
'Mongst those Commander-wits which lead the Van
Of thy Heroicke wars, whose each pen can
Muster an Army of Poetick straines.
To rout those Rebels of the vulgar braines
Ignorance, envy, obloquie, and scorne
And truely make all their base hopes forlorne:
No 'tis thy love, 'tis thy word of Command
In thy Battalia's front makes me thus stand
And dare the peevish world to charge thy wit
Censure-proof with what e're would pistoll it.
Let envy squint her venom'd lightning, Thou
Shalt stand unblasted with thy Laureate brow.
Ch: Woodward.
ERRATA.
Reader, thy ingenuity will correct those literall errours, which doe not much pervert the sense; especially if thou [...]ave reference to the Latine Copy. The most materiall I have thus observed.
PAg. 1. in the Comment, lin. 1. read, ravish'd. p. 4. ver. 93. r. Then [...]ear; 1. p. 17. dele lineam primam. p. 43. in the Comment, [...]. 14. r. venemous; Lytarge. (y) —. p. 56. v. 715. r. Iove's. p. 72. [...]. 308. r. Harmion [...]. p. 78. in the Comment, l. 6. r. Oicles. p. 83. [...]. 629. r. stumps and rocks. p. 109. v. 613. r. hatted God. p. 115. in the Comment. m r. almost all winter. p. 116. v. 761. r. shrill. p. 118. v. 814. r. sleepe. p. 118. v. 827. r. curdled. p. 119. in the Comment l. 1. [...]nterpone, m, A fountaine or well in the Nemeaean wood. p. 120. v. 889. r. Curetes. p. 122. in the Comment. l. 5. interpone, [...]. on whose bankes laurels. & l. 6. r. Thessalian river. p. 123. r. now's th [...]. p. 126. v. 89. r. women. p. 130. v. 196. r. angry (y) God. p. 131. in the Comment, r. * solvit sua Brachia. p. 137. v. 426. r. sterne. p. 138. v. 441. r. corne p. 140. v. 499. r. close flames. in the Comment, interpone, d, Son to Thiodomas, squire to Hercules. and in the Comment, l. 6. r. Heroes (d) [...] losse. p. 141▪ v. 523. r. and nurse.
Argument. Lib. 1. Statii Thebaidos.
Blinde O Edipus, th' incestuous parricide,
Invokes Tisiphone to scourge the pride
Of's scornfull sons: Who reigne by joynt consent,
In course; then change their Crownes for banishment.
The first lot fell t' Etheocles: But Jove
Sends Hermes down, for Laius Ghost, to move
Quarrels between them. Polynices flies
To Argos, weather-beaten: Thither hyes
Young Tydeus too: There they contest, and fight:
Till King Adrastus, thus disturbd i'th' night,
Makes peace; invites them; asks their names: They follow
To'th' Altars; where he chaunts Hymnes to Apollo.
A Sacred heat inflames me, to relate
The (a) Brethrens quarrels, and inveterate hate
For an alternate Crown; and to reherse
Thebes's guilt. Great Powers, whence shall I fetch my verse?
5 Shall I that Nations infancy display?
Or Cadmus scowring th' Ocean? 'Twere too far,
Should I discourse, how th' (d) Plowman, sowing war
In his seditious furrows, stood amaz'd
10 At his own new-sprung blades: How th'wals were rais'd
With Tyrian Stones, charm'd by Amphions ditty:
(Sterne (g) Iuno, twas thy work:) against whose brow,
Unhappy (h) Athamas did bend his bow:
Why, slighting the Ionick sea, the (i) Mother 15
Leapt with Palaemo [...] in, the second Brother.
But farewell these; farewell both grief and joy,
Which Cadmus found: The miseries which annoy
The house of O Edipus must be my song:
Who dare not sing the triumphs that belong 20
To (k) Caesars banners; nor the double baies
The conquer'd Dacians yeild him, who were thrown
Down from the m Hils they curs'd us on. 'Tis known
How's (n) infant years brought succour to, the glory 25
Of Iov [...], Romes Capitol — Thou larger story
Of great Vespasians name, borne to compleat
Thy Fathers Vict'ries, whom this (o) Royall seat
Wishes eternall: Though the starres be crowded
In narrower compasse; Though the never-clouded 30
East, the cold North, and Southerne climate, free
From blasts, invite Thee: Though Apollo be
Ambitious to set off his round with those
Rich (p) glories of thy Raies: And Iove dispose
Halfe of his mighty Throne to Thee, (Great Soule)35
Humble thy thoughts to earth, stoope to controule
The Sea and Land; a while Divinity smother,
And make the heav'ns thy free gift to another.
The time may come, when a diviner rage
May swell my verse to thy great Acts. This page,40
One Crowne destructive to two Princes: jars
Which death could put no end to; funerall (q) flames
Divided, like the soules they carry; names
Of dead Kings without Tombstones; many a Towne
50 I'th' ruines of the people overthrowne.
And Ioves-beloved Thetis wondring stood
To see (s) Ismenos, which was dry before,
Flow with such violence and chide his shore.
55 What Champion (Muse) do'st first remember? Is't
Buried before he's dead? Or is't the proud
(u) Hyppomedon, whose slaughters stop the flood
That overwhelm'd him? Or wilt weep the tale
60 Of young Parthenopaeus funerall?
When that's spun out, take (x) Capanêus, and tell
(But with a greater horrour) how he fell.
The hand of O Edipus had eclips'd the light
Of's wicked eyes, and brought eternall night
65 Over his shame, whilst he still liv'd the longer,
That he might long be dying: But a stronger
Beam's darted from his soule, there Furies lye
In thousand shapes (invited thither by
His bosome sins) which watch him; whilst he hides
70 Himselfe in his hugg'd darknesse, and resides
In his close, u [...]seen Chambers. Then he raises
The fresh wounds he had made, those empty places
Where's eyes had been, to heav'n: Beating the ground,
The senselesse ground, with's bloudy hands; a sound
75 Of horrour thus breakes out: —Ye' infernall Fiends,
[Page 4]Which raigne or'e guiltinesse, and Hell, whose ends
Are narrower then our faults; And thou darke Lake
Of Styx, whose prospect I, though blinde, can take.
Thou too, Tisiphone, which knowest best 75
That voice, th'hast heard so oft, grant this request:
If I have serv'd thee truly, whom I found
Nurse to my infancy, who heal'dst the wound
They (y) bored through my feet; If I did go
Twixt the two-headed Hill, when I might rather
Have staid with (a) Polybus, my supposed Father.
Where in the Tower of (b) three-top'd Phocis, I
Grappled with th' hoary King, and did deny
Life to his trembling joints, seeking to find 85
What there I lost, a Father: If my mind
By thee inlightned could unty the knot
Of Sphinx her riddle: If the incestuous blot
By which I stain'd my (d) Mothers bed brought joyes
To my free spirit; where I got thee boyes.90
Straight on these hands I fell desiring death,
And to my Mother did mine eyes bequeath.
Then here I aske a noble boone, and that,
Which thou thy selfe would'st prompt: My sons of late
(Sonnes still, howe're (e) begotten) doe despise 95
Their mournfull Father, rob'd of's power, and's eyes.
They will not (f) guide me, will not cheere my heart
With words of comfort: But (O grievous smart!)
Grown proud, they raise their Scepters from my urne,
Triumph o're blindnesse, laughing when I mourne.100
Am I accursed in these too? does dull Iove
[Page 5]See this with silence? Thou at least may'st prove
Their scourge: Sweet Mistresse of revenge, come hither,
Entaile a Curse upon their heirs for ever.
105 Put on that Diadem besmeard with gore,
Which from my fathers head these fingers tore.
Goe, winged with a Parents curse; Divide
Between the Brethren: Let the sword decide
That title too: Dear Queen of Hell, invent
110 Some mischiefe, great as my desires: Th'event
Will shew their courage: Could'st thou plot a rage
Worthy their souls, they'd prove their Parentage.
This said: the Fury throwes a cruell glance
Upon him. She was sitting then by chance
115 On black Cocytus banks, where she did scatter
Her serpent locks, to let them drinke o'th water.
But swift as lightning, or some falling Star,
She flies from thence; The ghosts give place, and fear
Their Mistresse presence: she her progresse makes
120 Through the black shades, where souls do swarm, and takes
The way to th' Iron gate; at foot o'th' hill
Of (g) Taenarus, where's a free entrance still,
But no returne: The day shrunke from her sight,
And hid her selfe in that dark cloud, which night
And let the heav'ns fall from his trembling head.
But from the plaines of (i) Malea she does hurry
I'th' beaten path to Thebes: Nor do's the Fury
Fly any way with greater speed, or takes
130 More joy in hell: A hundred (k) horned snakes
(The life-guard of her head) shades all her face;
A darke black colour fils the hollow place,
Where stood her worn-out eyes: just as the Moone
From heav'n. Thus puffing out her hollow cheekes 135
With rage, and swolne with venom'd gore, there breakes
A black flame from her ugly mouth: Whence came in
An army of diseases; Empty famine,
Devouring plagues, grim death: Her tattered coate
Sits wrinckled on her back, tied with a knot 140
Or two about her: if she change that hue,
The (m) Destinies spin her another clue.
Then shakes she both her hands: this flames does weare,
T'other with serpent fingers stings the ayre.
Heaven with his cragged top, her hissing greets
The earth so loud, that th'Ecchoed noise resounds
(p) Parnassus, the worlds navell, heard it: so
Which totter'd at the sound. s Isthmos did wonder,
And scarce had power to keep two seas asunder.
Leucothoe affrighted at the crack
Pull'd her Palaemon from the Dolphins back,
And hid him in her lap. The Fury next 155
Flying to t Cadmus Towers (which she had vext
With many stormes before) begets strange passion
I'th brethrens frighted mindes; renews the fashion
Of their u first founders rage; then Envy tears
Their tortur'd souls, and hate-begetting fears.160
[Page 7]Now a desire of Government possest'um:
Their league is broke, whilst both strive to invest'um
First, with the pall, and Scepter: Oh! 'tis brave
To be Lord Paramount, and not to have
165 A partner in our royall Fortunes: Neither
Will Crownes divided ever hold together.
So, when the toyling husband-man shall yoake
Two untam'd steeres in's plow, they'l scorn the stroake
They feele, and know not how, with down-press'd necks
170 To draw such burthens: straight the carriage cracks,
Rent with their sev'rall forces; whilst they take
Two divers paths, and crooked furrows make.
Such was the Brethrens discord, such sterne Ire
Had set an edge, on their untam'd desire.
175 At length they cov'nant, year by year, t'exchange,
By course, their Crownes for banishment: Tis strange,
How they would cool their Fortunes: whilst the heire
Gapes at the hopes of the succeeding yeare.
This was that league, their wars were stopt upon:
180 Scarce lasting to the next w Succession.
And yet the world had not us'd then to guild
Their seiled roofes, nor had it learn'd to build
To shelter throng'd y retainers to their table:
185 Kings slept (if Kings can sleep) without a Guard;
No Centinels at door kept watch and ward:
No pretious Goblets made their wine look neat,
No plates of gold were sullied with their meat:
'Tis a bare power they seeke, an empty prize,
190 A naked kingdome crownes their victories.
Thus whilst both strive for a neglected soile,
The humble throne of Cadmus, they defile
Religion and themselves: The laws and rig [...]t
Misguided soules! whither does passion bear you?195
What if both poles were th' purchase, should it dare you
To such impieties? If all that's seen
By th' eye of heav'n, ith' East, or West, or when
He wanders out of's circle, to behold
The Southern heat, or squints o'th' Northern cold?200
What if Tyre's wealth, or Phrygian heaps invite you?
But 'tis a dismall Palace does excite you
To rage: you'd buy from hell a wretched boone,
To sit in O Edipus his a cursed throne,
But now the lots are cast, and fate has crost 205
Stiffe Polynices hopes. How wast thou lost
In thine own joyes, proud b Tyrant then? when all
About thee, were thy slaves? when thou migh'st call,
What 'ere thou fanciest, thine, and none deny thee?
Yet by and by the commons whisper nigh thee 210
Some relish of dislike; and (as they use)
The next successour in their heart they choose.
And one amongst the rest (whose minde was set
To blast the Scepter, and could never yet
With patience bear commands) cries out; Oh Fate!215
Is't thus resolv'd to vex th' c Ogygian State?
Must we exchange our fears still? and indanger
Our subdu'd heads by course to serve a stranger?
Th'ave made division of our lives, th'ave weaken'd
The hand of d Fortune. Shall I still be reckon'd 220
A bond-slave rul'd by banish'd spirits? is't,
Great power of heaven and earth! fixt in thy brest
To plague my country-men with such a doome?
Or does this long-continu'd mischief come
To choose those fields of g Hyas, here t'erect
His new-found kingdome? Might we else expect
This plague, from the first h Brethrens quarrels, when
230 Earth shew'd her sons, but call'd them back agen?
D'ee mark, since t'others banishment, how sowre
He looks upon't? How he has swell'd his power?
How big his words? how proud his pace is grown?
Think you, that this man will be e're brought down
235 To his own private fortunes? Yet we find
That none was once more gentle, just, and kind:
And reason good: he had a rivall then,
But we 're contrould by all: Poor, abject men.
Like as two winds, from sev'rall quarters met,
240 Scuffle for mastry o're the sayles, and wet
The top-mast in the churlish waves: such fate
Hangs o're this doubtfull, this distracted State.
One Prince commands obedience, whilst t'other
Threatens as much if they obey his brother.
245 But at Ioves high command the gods resort
To heavens Star-chamber: 'Twas the inner Court
Where they assembled, i equally between
The East and Western houses: whence was seen
The confines of the earth and seas: k The God
250 Shining i'th' mid'st, strikes terrour with the nod
Of his majestick countenance: A [...]on
He sets him downe, in his bespangled throne.
The rest stand, and expect: not one presum'd
To sit, till leave was beckned: Then they assum'd
255 The Demy-gods, toth' place they had assign'd;
And th' heaven-begotten l Rivers: Nay the wind
[Page 10]Comes whistling too; but's breath was stopt with fear.
Thus having fill'd the starry Quire, they wear
Such Majesty about them, that the face
Of heav'n's amaz'd: Such beauty fills the place,260
That more then day breakes thence: The roofe's all gold,
The beames of Chrysolite hidden flames doe hold.
Having commanded silence, all the round
Gave care and trembled: (for within that sound
Was an unchang'd decree; the m Fates did make 265
His words a law:) thus then aloft he spake.
The tainted earth; and mans polluted soul
I here impeach, whom vengeance can't controul.
How long shall guilty cryes awake my rage?
This arme is tir'd with thundering. 'Tis an age▪ 270
Has wearied out the n Cyclops. Ev'ry cinder
In Vulcans shop's burnt out. o I would not hinder
Thy horses (Phoebus) ranging where they list
To fire the world, when their false p guide was mis't,
Hoping they would refine't: But all in vaine,275
As was thy labour, Neptune, when the q Maine,
Rais'd by thy trident, found a way to passe
Beyond its bounds, and wash'd Earths dirty face.
Now come we arm'd with vengeance 'gainst two Nations
Of Perseus: T'other's Thebes, built in that tract,
Which men once call'd s Aonia: One neglect
Has seiz'd on all their soules. Who does not know
Cadmus his ruines? Whilst the powers below,
Charm'd from their darker vaults, oft quarreld here.285
The out-cryes from their u groves? I would conceal
Those daring sins that strike at w heav'n: to tell
All those lewd manners, which defile that place,
290 One day and night would be too short a space.
Yet O Edipus, more fruitfull in his sin,
Covets his Fathers bed, and strives to win
Strange pleasures from his Mother. Who, before him,
E're forc'd a passage to that wombe that bore him?
295 But just revenge has x reach'd him: He has banish'd
All day, and comfort: Heav'n it selfe is vanish'd
Out of his sight: whil'st his malignant brood
(Wicked beyond all president) have stood
Triumphing o're his blindnesse. Th' hast obtain'd,
300 Old Mischief, what thou ask'dst:Thy y night has gain'd
Ioves eare, and's hand: Ile arme their rage, and mock
At th' ruine of both kingdomes: All that stock
Ile root and branch destroy. The quarrel's spun
With ease: z Adrastus pitying's exil'd son,
305 Joyn'd to that a Line unhappily, shall give
Assistance. 'Tis decreed: Nor must they live.
Deceitfull b Tantalus sticks in our breast:
We han't digested yet his bloudy feast.
So spake the God: But Iuno deeply wounded
310 With such unlook'd-for news, this answer rounded.
Must I to Armes (great Justice?) must I fight?
'Tis known full well, what strength of men, what might
I always brought to th' towers of c Greece: that Crowne
Hast flourisht? I have wink'd at one dull sleight,315
When sleeping e Argus found eternall night
Within those borders: when in a Golden shower
Thou found'st a passage to the guarded f tower:
'Tis pardon'd: 'twas a borrow'd shape offended.
But when thou wor'st g thy selfe, and wast attended 320
With flames, the tokens of our nuptiall sports,
My hate may justly blast such rivall Courts.
Let Thebes be punish'd: what had Greece deserv'd?
Yet take thy pleasure: If thy Queen's reserv'd
An object for thy scorne, levell her Cities,325
Thee, shee's so great: What needs perfuming wood
To warme her Altars, wash'd with sacred blood?
But if old scores t' a new account we call,
And 'tis decreed to squeeze the dregs of all
The times are past: Where shall this task begin?
What age will serve to purge Earths raging sin?
Looke back upon that l kingdome, whence by cunning 335
Through sea and earth, to find her; Is't not shame,
Th' Arcadians should build temples to thy name
In so unchast a place? There were the forces
Behold the mangled limbs of a whole rabble
Of suiters lye unburied there. False p Ide,
The place of my disgrace, thou mak'st thy pride▪
May not poore Greece be left thy spouse? Forbeare
Such furious threats. Take pity on that Nation,
That claimes from thee, by a most nee [...]e relation.
The world has many kingdomes: None's so good,
350 But may be dy'd, in the false brethrens blood.
Thus ended she her suit, made up of teares
Lin'd with reproaches: But Ioves patient eares
Heard her without disturbance: then replies;
'Twas not expected, any curse should seize
355 Upon thy Graecians, were it ne'r so right,
But thou wouldst frown: Nay r Bacchus, if he might
Have liberty, would plead for's Thebes, I know:
And (durst she speake) so would s Dione too.
But witnesse all th' infernall lakes, and those
360 Black Stygian floods, my brother Pluto chose,
There's an irrevocable sentence past:
Wherefore my swift-wing'd t Mercury, make haste:
Outstrip the winds that beare thee: Through the ayre
Glide downe to th' darker region: There repaire
(He's not yet pass'd the w Gulfe: because he fell
Untimely by the sword of O Edipus:
Quickned by thee, send him to's y Grandchilds Court,
With these commands: His brother (whose resort 370
To Greece, in's banishment, will swell his pride,
And strengthen's sufferings) must be deni'd
Accesse to's presence, (He himselfe would chuse it)
And when the throne is ask'd, let him refuse it.
Hence will I ground their anger, and dispose 375
The rest as order bids me. z Hermes goes
As Iove commanded, putting on a paire
Of winged buskins; whilst his golden haire,
And starry head was shadow'd with his hat:
Then takes his charming rod, the scepter that 380
Commands sleep, or forbids it: He lookes over
Death's Court with this: This can lost life recover.
Thus vaulting downe, he flutters in the ayre;
Which parted gently; Neither stops he there;
But with his sodain flight, the welkin sounded,385
And darting downward, all the skie was rounded.
Now Polynices, banish'd from his throne,
As 'twas contracted, wanders all alone,
By a stealth i'th' Thebane deserts: Whil'st his minde
Feeds on the hopes, of what must be resign'd 390
E're long to's hands. Sometimes he thinks the Sun
Stands still; 'Tis tedious e're the yeare be done.
One thought, asleepe and waking has possest him,
What beames will guild that howre, that shall invest him
I'th strength o'th Kingdome; When his humbled brother 405
Must goe and seek new fortunes, whil'st b another
Shall weild the scepter. This were such a day
He'd spend an age to see't. But the delay
Is irkesome to his fancy: Yet that thought
[Page 15] 400 Is quell'd, remembring how he shall be brought
With pompe to th'Diadem; and sit on high,
To laugh at's wandring brothers misery.
Thus various passions do his soule annoy,
And over-greedy wishes spend his joy.
405 But now he settles his undaunted pace
To c Innachus his City's, and the place
Her black deeds from the startling Sun: His guide
VVas rage, or chance, or destiny. He flies
Of the mad Priests are eccho'd: where the fields
Fatned with g sacred bloud more plenty yields.
Then pass'd he by h Cithaerons gentle plaine,
VVhere the high mount stoops downe to kisse the Maine.
And sees, where k Nisus with his purple locks
Once reign'd. Then leaves he quiet Corinth, where
'Two neighbour l seas made musick in his eare.
By this time had the Moon begun her station,
420 And Sol, tir'd out with's last perambulation,
VVas gone to bed. The silent world does view
Her Ayery charriot, pearld with drops of dew.
No beasts doe roare, no birds doe chatter, sleep
Or'e mans desires, and carefull thoughts does creep:
425 And nodding through the aire, brings downe in hast,
A sweet forgetfulnesse of labour past.
[Page 16]But the gray skie promis'd no glorious beames
From th' morning sun: The duskie Twilight seemes
To put out day too soone, and keeps no light
Reflected from the absent sun: Grim night 430
Arising thicker from the earth, does cloud
Heavens glittering fires. Whilst the windes aloud
Knock at th' m AEolian barrs, and rudely force
A passage from their prisons. Straight the hoarse
And hollow throat of winter comes on, scolding:
The winds fall out among themselves; Each holding 435
Heav'n by a proper title, for his owne;
Till Poles are rent, and th' Axle's overthrown.
But the prevailing Southern blast has giv'n
Most clouds to th' worke, and chiefly mantles heav'n:440
Opening a thousand spouts; whose drops are stay'd
By th' dry cold Northern breath, and haile are made.
Nay heav'ns artillery comes in; the Thunder
And subtile lightning, tear the clouds asunder.
About th' Arcadian groves, are drench'd with water.445
Old p Inachus with nimbler floods does roare,
Cold q Erasine's more active then before.
In sandy channels, where men walk'd but now,
In spight of damms, huge streames doe overflow.450
You'd think that r Lerna's poys'nous, troubled lake,
Sweld with new venome. Every wood does cracke:
The trees let fall their armes: And heav'n beholds
What it ne're saw before, s Lycaean folds.
Our frighted travailer's amaz'd to see
The stones drop from the craggy clifts: But he 455
[Page 17]The stones drop from the craggy clifts: But he
Startles at harsher musick, whilst each mountain
In dreadfull Cataracts powres down a fountain
Of cloud-begotten waters; which orethrow
460 Both folds and cottages of shepheards too.
Benighted thus, and mad at this disaster,
He gropes on: Fear and's brother, spur him faster.
So when a storme has caught the mariner
In raging seas, when neither Moon, nor star,
465 Lights him t'his channel; troubled reason leaves
His soul to th' angry heav'ns, and boistrous waves:
Now fears he treacherous sholes; now thinkes he knocks
His reeling ship against the foming rocks.
Thus through the woods does Polynices flie;
470 Rousing with's trusty spear the beasts that lie
In their wild mansions: His stout brest does tear
A way through thickets: now grown bold with fear.
Till from Larissa's top, he spies a light,
475 Through all the winding streets, to this he plies
With all his power. O'th left hand, he descries
At length he enters th' open gates, and straight
480 Beholds the x Palace, in whose porch he might
Repose his stiffened limbes: Here rests his head,
And sleep's invited to so hard a bed.
Adrastus then was King; whose quiet fate
Had spun his years beyond a middle date:
485 Nobly descended; challenging from heav'n
In both his y parents. Yet the gods had giv'n
[Page 18]No male successour to him: All his hope
Rests in two z daughters, which must underprop
His throne. Apollo, once being ask'd about'um,
Reply'd: (you'd think the god had meant to flout'um)490
(But time discovers Truth) Their chosen love,
A bristled Hog, and Lion fierce, shall prove.
This riddle could'st not thou, grave Sire, untwist,
The god forbad it: Only care possest,495
And gnaw'd upon their Fathers doubtfull brest.
As't happen'd: b Tydeus at that instant, leaving
His native Calydonia; (Horrour cleaving
Fast to his guilty soul, for's c brothers blood)
I'th' dead of night, trac'd the same desert wood,500
And felt that storm of Ice, and haile; till raine
Had wash'd his face; and thaw'd his back again.
Then chances on that shelter, where before
T'other had stretch'd his limbs upon the floore.
Here chance presents a bloody rage. The weather 505
Can't make one roofe shroud both their heads together.
Their tongues beat the preparative, till both
Swoln big with anger, rise: And first they 'uncloath
And strip their shoulders naked: next they dare
Each other (Champion-like) t'a single war.510
The Thebane was the taller, and had told
Most suns o'th' two: yet Tydeus was as bold,
And equal'd him in's courage; Give him's merit,
In a lesse roome there raign'd a greater spirit.
By this time they were faln to cuffes: the blows 515
Like d Scythian haile, or darts an Army throws,
Flie thick about their ears: Nor do they stick
[Page]With buckled hammes their empty guts to kick.
So when th' Olympick games returne again
The dust is laid with falling drops of sweat,
And the spectators differing votes do whet
The striplings valour; whilst the f Matrons barr'd
From entrance, stand expecting their g reward.
525 Thus quickned by their rage, they fight this duell,
(For 'twas not praise they look'd for) whilst their cruell
Hook'd fingers, claw their faces: Each man cryes
How he can best tear out his fellows eyes.
Perhaps their angry swords too had been drawn,
530 Which they had girt about them; where thy bane,
Unhappy Thebane, had been better wrought
By a strangers hand: But that Adrastus thought
He heard some deep-fetch'd grones, and outcryes passe,
I'th dead o'th night, which call'd him to the place:
535 Whose hoary head, since care and age did cumber,
He could not freely harbour quiet slumber.
Thus, when by torch-light he was brought in state
Down, through the Courts, and had unbar'd the gate;
He spies strange faces there: scratcht mangled cheaks,
540 Which dropt large showers of blood: With that he breaks
To these expressions: What inflames your angers
To these uncivil broyles, young fiery strangers?
None of my subjects durst presume I'me sure,
To breake the peace thus rudely. Why does your
545 Unbounded rage disturbe the silent night?
Is the whole day too short? Or d'ee delight
To banish peace, and rest? Speak: whence d'ee come?
Or whither go ye? why so quarrelsome?
Your rage say's y'are not base: A noble house
Scarce had he done: when speaking both together,
They mixe these words, and frown on one another.
Milde King, what need we talke this quarrell over?
These streames of blood you see, our wrongs discover.
They utter'd this confusedly: But next,555
Tidêus goes on, alone: My soul being vext
At her h misfortunes, left her native Land
Of i Monster-bearing Calydonia, and
Th' AEtolian k plaines; hoping to find some ease:
But close within your borders, night did seize 560
With all her powers upon me: Who is this
Denies my head a shelter here, cause his
Took' first possession in the place? We see
The double shapen l Centaures will agree
To lodge together: And the Cyclops rest 565
But in one m AEtna: Nay the wildest beast
Knows natures Laws, and can't one roof contain
Us two? — But why do I spend my self in vain?
Be whoso 'ere thou wilt, thou art not like
To triumph long. If guilty n blood don't strike 570
New horrour to my soul, Ile make thee know
We have both stock and courage too, says t'other:
But 'twas a startled p conscience made him smother
His Fathers name. Stay, saies the King: asswage 575
Such churlish thoughts begot by night, or rage,
Or valour. Use my Court: come enter hither,
And let your shak'd hands joyn your hearts together.
'Tis not in vain, nor were the gods asleep,
[Page 21] 580 When first you quarreld: Love perhaps may creep
Through these rough paths; & then you may with laughter
Remember these past discontents hereafter.
How truly did this reverend King foretell
Their fortunes I when this storm was o're, they fell
585 In such a league, as made another q paire;
And might with Thesêus and his r friend compare,
In their long progresse: Or with s Pylad's stand
Who freed Orestes from Megara's hand.
Their wounded minds were heal'd now, with the balme
590 Dropt from Adrastus lips: Like as a calme
Quiets the troubled waves, when th' storm is over,
And the last blast expiring now, does hover
About the sailes. Straight into th' Court they passe;
Where the good King beholds the comely grace
595 Of their attire, and armes: He spies the skin
Of some great bearded Lion (sure, of kin
u Teumessian Tempe, long before he knew
The w Cleonaean monster) hang about
600 The Thebanes shoulders: whilst a bristled, stout,
And tusked boar, of x Calydonian kind,
Had parted with his coat, which spred behind
Tydeus his back: The aged Prince, possest
With strange amazement at the sight, confest
605 Apollo's sacred truth, remembring then
What Oracles he heard, i'th y speaking Den.
[Page 22]This spectacle confounds him: Joy does thrill
Through all his foul; He reads express'd the will
O'th' gods, that brought them hither: Now he sees,
What beasts they were, the riddling god did please 610
To point out for his sons-in-law: then raises
His hands to heav'n, and chant [...] these solemn praises.
Thou sacred power of Night, which do [...] imbrace
The cares of heav'n, and earth: whilst every place
I'th' sky, is spangled by thy hand; Repairing 615
Our wearied natures, 'gainst the Suns appearing:
Thy darknesse is my guide: through the thick mist
Of perplex'd errour: Thou doest best untwist
Thy threds of foretold destiny. Go on;
Perfect, great Queen, the work thou hast begun.620
This Court shall pay a yearly sacrifice
To thy great Deity: On thy altar dyes
I'th' newest b milke, and make thy Temples smoake.
Of the dark Oracle. I've found the gods.
This said, he grasps their hands, and guides them right
To th' farther court: Where th' Altars still look'd white
With their late d fires; I'th ashes yet there fumed
Some sparkes alive, with fragments unconsumed.630
He bids them bring new fewell, and prepare
A second offering. His servants heare
With rev'rence and obey him: All the Court
Rings with their diligence: One goes to sort
New broydred coverings for the beds, and calls 635
For richer tapestry to hang the walls.
Another scours the pots. One puts out night,
[Page 23]And fils the branched candlesticks with light.
Some play the Cooks, and spit the joynts of meat;
640 Others make paste, when they have ground their wheat:
Adrastus joys to see them; putting on
His richest robes, and mounts his Ivory throne.
Of th' other side, the strangers tooke their places,
(Their wounds being wash'd) and view'd each others faces;
645 Then tooke acquaintance. Th' aged King soon after
Sends for Acestes (she had nurst his daughters,
And had their virgin chastity in care
Till e Hymen ask'd for't) whispering her i'th eare.
Who soon perceiv'd his mind: And forthwith came
650 Her double charge, (you'd think their shape the same
Which armed Pallas and Diana wore,
But with lesse terrour) from their chamber dore.
Soon as their looks were on the strangers fixt,
A blushing red, and paler white were mixt
Within their comely cheeks; their eyes did rove
655 A glance, or two, but duty check'd their love.
When the last course o'th feast, was served up,
Adras [...]us cals for's graven guilded cup,
660 In sacrifice: 'T had many stamps i'th' gold.
On th' one side g winged Persêus sets upon,
And kils the snake-hair'd Gorgon, which being done
He seems to mount i'th' aire: But she lets fall
Her ghastly eyes; and, though in gold, looks pale.
And leaves the hils behind; Troy's out of sight:
His fellow-huntsmen sadly looke about,
[Page 24]And's dogs in vain do barke at every cloud.
This cup was crown'd with wine: Whilst all the gods
By course were call'd on: But Phoeb' got the od [...].670
The servants crown'd with i chast unspotted baies
Chant at Ph [...]b's shrine their Chorall Hymnes of praise.
This day's his festivall: The fire ne're falters,
But fed with incense shines on's smoaking Altars.
Then saies the King: Perhaps my noble guests,675
You'd aske what cause begat these solemn feasts;
Or why, 'mongst all the gods, w'adore Apollo.
It is no vain religion which does hallow
This time: The Argives l [...]ng since groaning under
A curse began it: Marke, and hear the wonder.680
After the god had pierc'd the speckled skin
Of th' earth-begotten k Python, folding in
Delphos with's numerous circles, wearing out
With's taile the well-grown oakes; whil'st spread about
The springs of Helicon, his forked tongue 685
Lick's poyson from the crystall streames; 'Twas long
E're many darts dispatch'd him; spreading over
The Phocian plains his yet-twin'd bulke did cover
A hundred acres. Then the god resorts
(To cleanse the l guilt of bloud) to th' humble courts 690
Rul'd o're his house: In her, sweet modesty,
And beauty strove for conquest: Happy maid,
Could shee Apollo's close desires avoid.
For on the bankes of Nemêa, giving way 695
To th' sportfull god, she there conceiv'd a boy:
And after ten moons wanes, brought forth her son,
Latona's royall grand-childe. But anon
[Page]Fearing her fathers vengeance (for he knew
700 Nothing of those imbraces) she withdrew
To desert walkes: Where she expos'd (for fear)
Her infant 'mongst the folds t'a shepherds care.
Sweet babe! such entertainments don't become
The stock thou springst of: Earth prepares thy room
705 Garnish'd with flowry beds, and thatch'd above
With oaken leaves close woven; whilst the grove
Lends bark to make thy garments; gentle sleep
Is whistled on; Thou battlest with the sheep.
Yet Fate thought this too good a place for him,
710 For deep-mouth'd bloud-hounds tore him limb from lim [...]
And feasted on his members, which were spread
Upon the grasse, where he with aire was fed.
This newes no sooner strook his mothers eare,
But she forgot both father, shame, and fear:
715 She fils the Court with outcries, and uncovers
Her naked brests; Then the whole truth discovers
To the hard hearted King; who publisheth
The sentence which she hop'd for, present death.
Could Phoeb' forget his joyes thus? But too late
720 He plots her just revenge, and does create
A monster, hell would owne; conceiv'd between
The coupling Furies: In whose shape was seen
A virgins face and brest, but from her crown,
A snake, that hiss'd eternally, hangs down,
725 And parts her cloudy brow: This Impe does creep
To their close-chambers secretly when sleep
Sits heavy on them; tearing infants from
The breast that suckle them; devouring some
With rav'nous jaws, before their Parents eyes,
730 And fats herself with publike miseries.
But C [...]oraeb's skilfull valour could not brook
This plague without revenge: Who straight betook
Himself to's chosen band of friends, whose souls,
Priz'd credit more then life. The Monster rouls
[Page]More death before hee still; and then she stood 735
Where two wayes parted, smeard with infants blood:
On both sides of her hung a babe, whose hearts
[...]eak'd with her claw [...], which search their vitall parts:
Our Champion here sets on her, guarded round
With all his traine; His sword si [...]ks intoth' wound 740
[...]t made in her black brest; and hunts her soule
Through all her limbs till hell receives her foule
[...]espotted carcesse: 'Twas a joy to come
[...]nd see her ghastly lookes, and panch that wombe
[...]n which sh'ad cram'd our sucklings; To behold 745
[...]er venom'd brest: Amazement strooke us cold:
[...]nd these extreames of joy turn pale again.
[...]ome thrash'd her senslesse limbs, seeking in vain
This solace for their griefs: Others brought trees
[...]o dash her teeth out: rage their power out-vies.750
[...]e rav'nous skrieking birds few from these grounds,
[...]hough hungerbitten, when as deep-mouth'd hounds,
[...]nd chap-faln wolves, gaping at distance stood,
Greedy of prey, yet durst not take such food.
Inrag'd Apollo sets an edge on's spleen 755
[...]hus disappointed: Sitting then between
[...]arnassus double top, he armes his bow
[...]ith poyson'd arrows; Whilst the fields below,
[...]nd all the Graecian houses seem'd to flame,
[...]hrough the thick clouds, which hung about the same.760
[...]weet souls of all sides dropt: Death p cut the thred
[...]f Fate, and captive townes in triumph led.
But when the Oracle was sought to, why
[...]uch flames and dire q Aspects possest the sky:
[...]he same Power bids, their lives should pay to hell 765
[...] sacrifice, by whom his monster fell.
Couragious soul! deserving when th'art dead
[...] lasting name: Thou didst not hide thy head
[Page 27]Through base degenerous fear; nor trembled'st when
770 Thou metst grim death to'th' face. Thus Cor [...]b [...] then
With an undaunted looke, stands at the do [...]
Of the gods Temple, and inrageth more
The divi [...]e brest, thus speaking: I'me not sent,
r Phoeb', to thy shrine; nor come I to relent,
775 And beg thy pardon: 'twas mine own free spirit
And care to th' publike, brought me: 'Twas my merit
That tam'd thy vengeance, god, 'tis me th' hast sought
With clouded foggy dayes, and pest'lence brought
From heav'n unjustly. But if gods delight
780 So much in monsters, and regard so slight
The losse o'th' world, and death of men: if heav'n
Be so unkind; How have the Graecians giv'n
Just cause of anger? May not I suffice
(Great Power) to be the Fates just sacrifice?
785 Or does thy gentle heart declare more pity
When it depopulates a well-fill'd City?
When the fields shine with bonfires, which are made
Of plowmens bones? But why should I disswade
Or stop thy striking hand? The matrons vow
790 Powr'd out long since attends me. 'Tis enough▪
I have deserv'd that s stroake, that shall not spare me:
But draw thy well strung bow: Let th' arrows tear me,
Send a triumphing soul to th' grave: But then
Drive that black cloud away, that blasts our men:
795 So that I die, be satisfied: 'Tis just
To punish onely those who break their trust.
Phoeb's rage gave back a [...] this, and grants a boone
More then was ask'd; His life: The tempest soone
Blew from our heav'n [...] whilst Choroebe is intreated
800 To leave the startled god. This cause created
These solemn feasts, which yearly we renew
T'appease the god, whose Altars now ye view.
[Page]But what blood fils your veines, my Friends? Although
(If fame deserves beliefe) t Tydêus does owe,
His birth to Calydoniae, and may claim
Brought you to Argos? Tell me, who's this other?
Since 'tis a time to talke in, nothing smother.
The noble u Thebane now with down-cast eyes
Swolne big with grief, now with side-glances spies
Tydêus his wounds; then breakes his silence thus:810
Before these Altars here, it fits not us
To mingle such discourses: What I am,
How stock'd, what bloud, the country whence I came,
Will blast your sacrifice: yet if yee'r bent
To know my wretched fortunes; My descent 815
Came from my grand-sire w Cadmus; Thebes, the joy
And now Adrastus startled with his guest
Discover'd thus, saies, why d'ee hide the rest?
'Tis known already: Fame does take her rise 820
Not so remote from Argos. He that lies
Under the North pole, chatt'ring: He th [...]t drinks
I'th' Indian Ganges; He i'th' West, that thinks
To trace the sun to bed, and those that saile
Amongst the Africk shoals have learn'd the tale 825
Of Thebes beset with Furies; and those eyes
Which shrunk from their own guilt: Let this suffice
To thy complaints; and score not up their sin
On thine own head; Such staines may be of kin
To us from our y forefathers: But that blot 830
Don't prejudice their off-spring. Equall not
Their vices; but endeavour by thy merit
[Page 29]To purge their guilt: Them, not their faults inherit.
Does disappear: with fresh cups feed the fire:
Chant out Apollo's hymnes; repeat his praise,
Our guardian still from our a fore-fathers dayes.
Great Father Phoeb', whether the snowy tops
Of pure c Castalian dew do bath thy haire,
Thy golden haire: Or whether Troy does weare
Thy d name and presence; where thou didst submit
Thy self to labours for thy selfe unfit,
845 And serv'dst the e Mason willingly; or tir'd
With seeking floating f Delos, if desir'd
Cynthus, Latona's welcome mount, does please:
Cynthus, whose top shades the AEgaean seas:
The Quiver's thine, and bow stiffe-bent, to quell
850 Thy daring foes: g Eternall youth does dwell
Upon thy cheeks: Thou canst foretell the doome
Of th' unjust Fates, and know'st what is to come:
Knowst what decrees Iove means to passe; doest shew
What plagues or wars shall raigne; what overthrow
855 Of crowns h heav'n points at: 'Twas thy harpe subdu'd
The i Phrygian minstrell. Thou did'st drag the rude
Earths offspring k Titius downe to hell, and take
Just vengeance for thy mother: Thou dost shake
Envenom'd Python with thy lookes; and quaile
Wrinckled Megara is thy Minister
Tormenting hungry m Phlegîas, who does fear
The ever-falling stone; she proffers meat
To's empty stomach, but he loathes to eat.
Great God be present, thinke upon the place 865
That n entertain'd thee; shew a smiling face
To Iuno's land; whether thou please to choose
Or if p Osiris's title take the more,
Whom AEgypt makes the Author of her store.870
Or, as the Persians in their caves below,
q Mitra, which drawes by th' hornes a stubborn Cow.
Finis Lib. I. Statii Thebaid.
Argument. Lib. 2. Statii Thebaidos.
Hermes returnes with Laius's Ghost, which steales
Tiresias's shape, and in a dreame reveales
To th' Tyrant, Joves decree. Adrastus gives
Argia and Deiphile, for wives
To Polynice and Tydeus: They are married
With prod [...]gies, because Argia carried
Hermiones chaine. The Thebane Prince desires
His Crowne; which Tydeus in his name requires.
Denied by th' King, he war denounceth; then
Returnes by Sphinx her rock; where fifty men
Way lay him; they're subdued: He sends this story
By Maeon back, and sings Minerva's glory.
MEane time wing'd Mercury, with Ioves embassage
Returns from hell: thick clouds oppose his passage,
And troubled aire infolds him: Ne're a blast
To drive't away; but stinking fogges are cast
5 Out of the silent region: Then appear
The spreading floods of Styx, and flames of fire,
Belch'd out of sulph'rous streams, which choak th [...] way.
Behind crawles Laius trembling, whose delay
His wound might yet excuse; for in his side
10 His sons rash sword sunke, hilts and all; He try'd
The onset of the a Furies; yet he creeps,
And b Hermes's powerfull wand doth guide his steps.
The barren groves were startled, and those coasts
[Page 32]Where the dark shades were fill'd with trembling Ghosts.
The Earth herselfe's amaz'd, to see her womb 15
Lye open back again; nay there were some
In their cold, senselesse Urnes, whose wither'd brows
Spoke envy: One amongst the rest, whose vows
Were still unlucky, and (which wrought his bane)
Heav'ns grief his joy, heav'ns joy his grief began; 20
Saies, Go and prosper whatsoe're designe
Thou'rt call'd for, whether Iove did so injoyne;
Or uncontrol'd Erinnys by thee sent
Greeting toth' day; Or some c Enchantresse spent
Her charmes upon thy Tombe. Thou shalt have sight 25
Of the fresh aire, and the forgotten light
O'th' sun; thou'lt tread upon the springing grasse,
And hear the warbling Rivers, as they passe
From their clear fountaines. Yet at last with pain,
Look to return to these black shades again.30
No sooner Cerb'rus spies them, from the dark
Cell, where he lay, but he begins to bark
With all his mouthes at once: The cur does grin
At such strange ghosts as seek to enter in;
But now he swels his bristled neck, inraged,35
And would have torne them piece-meal; But asswaged
By the gods powerfull Scepter, down he lies,
And treble sleep tames his d three paire of eyes.
There is a place, which the old Graecians said
Which seamen tremble at, towrs to the sky's,
Till it hath quite lost the beholders eyes.
The lofty top's still faire, and does disdain
Th' inferiour power of wind, or force of rain:
But the tir'd stars rest on it; and the wind 45
[Page 33]There ye may trace the lightning; and the ranks
And shapes o'th' clouds are moulded on those banks.
The soaring Lark could never raise her flight
50 So high, nor thunder could this Mountain fright.
But when the day grows old, the shade does flee,
(Strange bounds are these)toth' midst o'th' neighbour Sea.
There Taenarus crooks his broken shoars, as though
His coward banks gave backward from the rough
55 And boistrous waves: Here Neptune lands his steads
The sands, but spread to a fishes tail behind.
From hence, as men report, the pale Ghosts find
A by-way path, through which due Custome's reard
60 By death, to Pluto's Court: Here may be heard
Strange shreeks and groans, (if any truth be found
In the Arcadian Plow-men) all the ground
Rings with a hellish noise: Sometimes a stroak,
Sometimes a word which the last Fury spoak,
65 Sounds till high-noon: It frights the Country-boare
Out of the fields, to hear h Deaths Porter roare.
Here Hermes, with a Stygian fog surrounded,
Springs into th'ayre. The clouds, which late abounded,
Break with his Glory: His warm breathing makes
70 Fair weather round about him. Thence he takes
His circuit by i Arcturus, mounting then
Through Phoebes k silent Orbe, ore lands and men.
Sleep meets him with Nights chariot, and does rise
With reverence, and straight departs the skies.
75 Laius beneath him hovers, and does view
Whence he spies Phocis, stained with his tombe.
At last he reaches Thebes; there sighs out tears
Neer his sons threshold: Yet at first forbears 80
To passe those wel-known dores. But when he spies
Those stately roofs, whose beauteous tops did rise
On pillars he had laid, and saw those o wheels
Stain'd yet with bloud; troubled, he backward reels:
The Thund'rers high command, the charming force 85
Of the p Arcadian rod, scarce stopp'd his course.
As't chanc'd too, 'twas a solemn q Day, which heav'n
Mark'd out with r thunder; when young Bacchus, giv'n
To's Fathers thigh, found a too early birth
From Semele: This caus'd the Tyrants mirth 90
To banish sleep that night; but spread abroad
Through house and ground, belch'd out the pursie s God
Amongst their Crowns and empty Cups, till day
Did part them: There ye might have heard them play
On their loud Pipes, and Trumpets, which o'recome 95
In their shrill noise the ratling of the Drum.
And glad t Cithaeron tie'd the women out,
Inflam'd now, not u inrag'd, to dance about
His un-trod thickets. So the w Thracians spread
Bankets to their rash troups, o'th' snowy head 100
[Page]The panting limbs of beasts, which they did tear
From Lions jaws, and bloud with milk allaid
Proves a rich Feast: but if their sense be staid
105 With wines inraging sent, then 'tis their play
To dash their cups, throw stones, or any way
To shed their partners bloud; with which the rabble
Will make new feasts, and garnish a new table.
Such was the night, when swift y Cyllenius crept
Stretch'd out at large upon his Ivory bed,
With cov'rings of Assyrian tap'stry spred.
How carelesse is mans heart! He feasts, he sleeps!
But Laius did, as he was taught, and creeps
Might seem a dream, he wears his voice and fleece:
His own locks still remain'd, and the driv'n snow
Upon his chin, so did his palenesse too:
But a false Miter on his hair was plac'd,
120 And's veyle with wreaths of Olive boughs was grac'd.
Then seems to touch the breast o'th' sleeping King
With's bough, and thus the Fates decrees to sing.
This is no time for sleep, secure from fear
Of thy false brother, Dullard! Doest not hear?
125 Heroick acts invite thee: Doest not see,
What preparations, Foole, he makes for Thee?
Thou dalliest, like a sleeping Pilot, when
The Sea works high with winds, his Compasse then
Is quite forgot, his Stern let loose: And yet
130 Thy brothers new-match'd spouse, Fame saies, has set
New wings on's soul: He's gathering strength to gain
H'appoints thy Court, the nurs'ry for his age:
Adrastus his Wives Father, does ingage
His resolution deeper, with what force
Her Dowry th' Argives bring: Nay (which is worse)
Tydeus, who's stain'd in's brothers bloud, has tied 135
A solemn knot of friendship: Hence his pride
Puffs up it self: this raises his intent
To promise thee a lasting banishment.
The King of heav'n, in pity sent me down,
With this advice; Keep Thebes; It is thine own:140
Banish th'ambitious brother, who would deal
As ill with thee; let not his gaping zeal
For thy destruction, any longer trust
To his close plots, or think the Graecians must
Come, Lord it over Thebes. Then, leaving him,145
When this was said, (for now the Stars burn'd dim
Before the day) he first uncloaths his face
Of's borrowed mask, confessing that he was
His Fathers Sire; and falling on the bed
Wher's cursed Grand-child tumbled, he does spread 150
His throat, still gaping with the wound, before
His eyes, and seems to bath him in his gore.
This breaks his sleep; then starting up, he stood
Scar'd with these prodigies; and shook the blood,
The seeming bloud from's trembling joynts; together 155
He fears his Grand-sire, and demands his Brother.
As when a Tyger th'Hunts-mans Eccho hears,
She rouses up her sluggish limbs, and tears
The toyls she's trap'd in: 'Tis her sport to meet
With some bold foe; She yawns; She sucks her feet; 160
Straight intoth' midst o'th' company she hurries,
And in her jaws, some panting soul she carries,
To feast her bloody Whelps: So rage perswades
The King, he'has vanquish'd now his Brothers aides.
And wiping her dew'd locks, she did expell
The nights cold darknesse, blushing on the Sun
That follows her: Bright d Lucifer was one
O'th'last that wooes her, with his parting glances,
170 But now resignes the Sky: And Sol advances
His Chariot ore the heavens, whose glorious light
Deprives the world of his pale sisters sight.
When old Adrastus, leaves his chamber, where
175 Did not stay long behind: Sleep had refresh'd
Their wearied limbs, (since the last storme had flesh'd
Each in his fellows blood) with all his store
Of blessings: But Adrastus breast found more
Unquiet thoughts; whilst he recalls the gods,
180 And his new guests, with what strange fate abodes
His sons-in-law, found thus unlook'd for: Those
Meeting i'th'midst o'th'Hall, shook hands, and chose
A place fit to discourse their private cares:
And first Adrastus thus salutes their eares.
185 My noble Sparks, whom the black night brought hit [...]r
By the gods care; whose steps through stormy weather,
And thundring showres, Phoeb' guided to this Court:
Y'ave heard (I doubt not) what a troop resort
To wooe my daughters; both whose equall yeares,
190 Are all the pledge my hopes can find of heires.
What modest beauty sits upon their brow
(Trust not a Fathers eyes) your selves may know
From last nights entertainment. Puissant Kings,
Whose thoughts soare on their Armies spreading wings,
195 Make these th'ambition of their vows. 'Twere long
To tell how the f Pharaean Princes throng,
Th' h Achaean matrons strive to underprop
Their house with plants from hence. i O Eneus thy father
Has not refus'd more courteous proffers: Neither 200
Has the k Pi [...]an Chariotteer▪ But I
Both Spartans brood, and El [...]an kind decry
To be my Sons-in-law: This blood is due
With all my care, by th' Fates decrees to you.
The Gods are kind, which sent such valiant Knights 205
Within my Court: How th' Oracle delights,
And feeds my soul▪ This honour you atchieve
Through the hights storms; this balm your wounds receive.
They heard him, when their eyes a while were fixt
On one another; who should answer next,210
Their looks did complement: But Tydeus spirit
More daring still, began: How is thy merit
Eclipsed by thy modest soul, which tames
Thy growing Fortunes? Who can claim more names
And kingdomes then Adrastus? Is't not knowne 215
How thou wast woo'd to leave thy l Grand-sires throne
Of Sycion, to curb th'unbridled lust
Of th' Argives. Would the Gods be pleas'd to trust
Those nations to thy hands, which lie within
[Page 39]Beneath it: Savage Mycene had not then
The Theatre of bloud: And other Kings
Had scap'd the Furies lash, whose venom'd stings
225 This o Thebane, who has felt, may speak. But we
Have ready minds to serve thee. So said he;
And th'other then subjoyns: Who would not toile
To find such fathers? Though love seldome smile
On banish'd wretches, yet all grief departs
230 Our soul, and Care bids fare-well to our hearts.
Nor doe our joyfull breasts lesse comfort find,
Then when a Ship, late toss'd with raging wind,
Beholds the welcome shore; 'Tis our desire,
Who have begun so luckily, t'expire,
235 And run our Fortunes with Thee. Thus they rise
Without more words: Whilst the old King out-vies
His last words with new promises: His might
Shall aid them back, t'instate them in their right.
The frolick Argives now, with joy did meet
240 This welcome news, which through the town did greet
Their ears: Their King had found a noble paire
Of sons, with whom Argia, and the faire
Deiphile should kindle Hymens flame,
And lose their Virgin crop, now ripe. This Fame
245 Spreads through the neighbour Cities; all the round's
Fill'd with't, as far as the p Lycaean bounds,
And the p Parthenian thickets: to the Coasts
Of q Corinth: Nay the tel-tale Goddesse boasts
The same in Thebes, where hov'ring o're the walls,
250 She frights the startled r King; whilst she recalls
[Page 40]His last nights Dream: (what dares the Monster? where
Does her spleen end?) Shee sings o'th' solemn cheer
That entertain'd his Brother: Of the hower
That crown'd his Bride-bed: Of the league and power
O'th' stock he's joyn'd to: Nay her fatall ditty 255
Speaks war already. Now the pompous s City
On the set day, did all her train unfold;
Joy crouded in the Court: You might behold
Their Fathers t statues march; The brasse did strive
With living faces, which was most alive:260
The artist durst make such comparison.
Horn'd u Inachus sate o'th' left hand, leaning on
The warrier, with valiant b Choroebe, who
On's swords point bore a head, incompass'd him;
As c Danâus did, whose crabbed looks did seem
Still to be plotting mischief. Then there stood
A thousand chieftains more. When straight a floud 270
O'th' common people roares within the gate,
Set open now. Where first the Nobles sate,
With those o'th' royall blood. The inner ground
[Page 41]Was warm with sacrifice, and did resound
275 With womens chat: The Graecian Matrons there,
(Yet interlac'd with Virgins every where)
Make a chast ring, and teach the Brides to tie
This knot, and shake off fearfull modesty.
These were led on, in Virgin robes, and state;
280 Staining their lilly-cheeks, with roses late
Dissolv'd to blushes; casting down their eyes;
When love of their Virginity did seize
Closely upon them; and the bashfull thought
Of the first night a second blushing brought:
285 This does bedew their cheeks; Yet at those tears
Their tender Parents smile. Just so appears
From heav'n together, both have e Armes, beside
Stern brows alike, and yellow locks tied up
290 Above their Crown: She leads her troops to th' top
(If h eyes might see) what eyes can judge between
Their grace and lustre? Who did most partake
Of Iove and majesty? Or should they make
295 Exchange of habits, then Minerva's quiver
And Delia's helm, would suit as well together.
The Graecians joyes o'restow: The Gods were tired
With vows; As each mans house and state required,
He brought a sacrifice: Some from the ground,
300 Some from the folds. Yet all like favour found
If pure hands offer'd it. The Gods were pleas'd
With incense, and their dores with i garlands dress'd.
[Page 42]But loe! a Panick fear struck all their mind,
Upon a sodain, (thus the Fates design'd)
The peoples joy's were clouded, and the day
Disturb'd; They went with torches light to pay 305
Duty's to maiden Pallas, who accounts
Here th'Argives, as their Fathers us'd, resort,
When their chast years were ripe for nuptiall sport,
To dedicate their Virgin g locks, and plead 310
Excuse for Loves first sweets. But as they tread
O'th' greeces of the stately Towr; the shield
Of brasse, which brave h Euhippus won ith' field,
Comes tumbling from the Temples stately spire,
And puts the i torches out, Loves sacred fire.315
And from the distant Quire a trumpet sounds
Frighting them back, wch now scarce kept their grounds.
All trembling, star'd at first upon the King;
But straight k deny they'd heard it. Yet this thing
Sounded unluckily within their ears,320
And sev'rall whispers soon increas'd their fears.
No marvel: thou Argia did retain
Thy husbands fatall gift, Harmiônes chain.
This mischief was far-fetch'd; but I'le discourse
Whence this new Present, gain'd such deadly force.325
(As stories say) and finding punishment
[Page 43]No bar to his delights, nor could his chains
Chastise the bold adulterer; he feigns
330 This bracelet as a Dowry, for his joy
n Harmione, upon her mariage day.
The skilfull o Cyclops hammer'd it; (and yet
Their helping hand: But r he sweats most; and works
335 Bright Em'ralds in't, which shine with hidden sparks:
And th' Adamant, ingrav'd with charms: The ball
Of s Gorgons eyes: With cinders, which did fall
From Ioves last thunder-bolt at AEtna: This
Was thredded with young Serpents manes: There is
340 Some buds beside of the t Hesperian tree,
Wrought in with u Phryxus golden fleece: Then he
Studs in his severall plagues, and th' Captaine snake
Pluck'd from the Furies head: such pow'r could make
Venus her w girdle crack: All these, h'anoints
345 With x Moon-froth, and with varnish'd poyson paints.
'Twas not y Pasiphaes work, the Graces Queen,
Grief, Discord, Sorrow shap'd it: The first triall
To her now creeping husband, with her brest 305
Plough'd up th' Illyrian sands, whilst she exprest
Her plaints by hisses. Semele next venters
No sooner on't, but beldame b Iuno enters.
And thou too, curst Iocasta, once didst owe
This guilded mischief; which adorn'd thy brow,310
To please strange, oh strange c Love: With mo beside,
Till now Argia shines in't: and does hide
Her sisters cheaper habit, with this gold,
Accursed gold. As't chanc'd, the d wife of old
Amphiaraus spy'd it; and in sight 315
Of the Gods altars, and the tables dight,
Durst feed close Envy: Oh! might she inherit
This prize! Alas! her Lords prophetick spirit
Could not avail her. What a dismall honour,
What e mischief the fool strives to bring upon her?320
Let her: but can her husbands cheated Armes,
Or her sons guiltlesse rage, deserve such harmes?
After twelve daies were spent in royall cheere,
And publike triumphs; the f Ismenian Peere
Looks back to Thebes and thinks of's Crown: For now 325
That day takes up his soul, when he stood low
In's brothers eyes; (such was his Fortune then)
He thinks the Gods deserted him, and men
Shrunk cowardly back; he naked; but the worst
Was Fortunes flight: Onely one g sister durst 330
Shew him the way to exile, but forbeares
To passe the thr [...]shold, wh [...]re rage stop'd his teares.
[Page 45]Then night and day he meditates, what joy
His absence brought to some; And who are they
335 Which wait on's brother: what moist eyes he saw
At his departure. Grief and anger gnaw
Upon his soul, but expectation most,
The greatest plague that ever mortall crost.
Thus plodding in his thoughts, still clouded, he
340 Resolves again forbidden T [...]ebes to see.
So when a bull, leaves his beloved cow
I'th' pastures, whence his Conquerour but now
Has driv'n him; he stands off, and bellows; till
He thinks of's lovely mull, and blood does swell
345 His wrinkled neck: But then recruiting strength,
He's mad for t'other push, and gains at length
His captive herd: With's horns, and hoofs he fights,
And's conquering mate, with's herds-man too he frights.
Such anger whets our lusty h Theban's mind.
350 But his dear wife this close designe did find;
And as her soft imbraces did inclose
Her husband, when the pale-fac'd Morne arose:
Dissembler, saies she, what's this change? what flight
Doest thou intend? Nought blinds a Lovers sight.
355 I feel it: Do not deep-fetch'd sighs proclaim
Thy waking cares? How many a startling dream
Breaks off thy sleep? How often have I found
This face bedew'd with tears? this brest abound
With sobs, when ere I felt it? 'tis no bond
360 Of wedlock breaking moves me, nor the fond
Despair of widowed youth: (although Loves sweets
Be newly budded, and the bridall sheets
Be not yet fully ayr'd:) Thoughts for thy quiet
And safety trouble me▪ I'le ne're deny it.
365 Wilt thou, without supplies of armes and men,
Demand thy Crown? Canst thou retreat agen,
[Page 46]Should he deny it? Fame that's nimble ey'd
To trace the lives of Kings, reports his pride
Rais'd with usurping; how, his love's diminish'd 415
To thee; nor is his year compleatly finish'd.
And, truth is, some late Prophesies, with all
Prodigious i entrals, and th'unlucky fall
Of birds, with startling dreames increase my feare:
In vaine: What journey's this? Does l love t'another
Draw thee? Can Thebes a nobler stock discover?
Here m th'Echionian smil'd a while, and strove
With soft imbraces t'undeceive his Love.
He dries her moistned eyes with welcome kisses,425
And with these friendly words her tears represses.
Take courage, sweet; trust me, blest peace attends
The Counsels of my best deserving friends.
Leave cares for riper years: Iove may hereafter
Behold our wrongs, if Justice be heavn's daughter,430
And daignes to looke beneath the clouds, to see
The right maintain'd on Earth: The time may be
Thy husbands palace shall with joy be seen,
And through two Cities thou saluted Queen.
This said, he slips out closely, and repairs 435
To Tydeus, now co-partner in's affairs;
Whose brest sob'd equall cares: (such love combin'd
Their once divided souls) to whom he joyn'd
Adrastus's counsell, sadly: Here they pause:
But after long dispute, this sentence was 440
Receiv'd of all: Best, feel his Brothers mind
Fairly, and pray the Crown might be resign'd.
Bold Tyd [...]us freely undertakes the message;
Yet (brave AEtolian) tears had stopp'd thy passage,
Of a comma [...]ding Father overcame:
Besides her sisters prayers▪ and that pow'r
Which gives safe conduct t'an Ambassadour.
Now trac'd he rugged paths, through woods and rocks,
In the still boyling foord; By Nemea's bounds
Where the blith o Shepherds pipe, scarce yet resounds
Sweet roundelaies: By Corinth's Eastern side:
455 Their crooked banks, are parted by the shore
s Nisus from hence; o'th' left he spies the plain
Of mild t Eleusis, and does straight obtain
The Mount u Teumessus; reaching neer the tow'rs
Of stem Etheocles, whose lo [...]ty state
Was guarded round with Armes: the Tyrant sate
To judge the folk, beyond all right, and x time
Prescrib'd, for's brother: Mischief hardned him
465 For all adventures: Quarrelling because
They came so y late to prove him. Tydeus draws
To th' midst o'th' Court: His Olive-boughs discover
He was a Legate: Who being question'd over
His name and message; rude of speech and prone
470 To choler, mixing threats, thus he begun.
[Page 48]If any faith posses'd thee, or just care
Of keeping Cov'nants, now th' hast raign'd thy year,
Thou wouldst have call'd thy Brother, and in course
Exchang'd thy fortunes, and resign'd thy force:
That he, long wandring, toss'd with storms unfitting 475
Abroad, might find his due, a throne to sit in.
But since thou'rt thus inamour'd of thy Crown
And courtst thy pow'r; We aske it. 'Tis well known
The sun has trac'd the 290 Zodiack, and the hills
Have their lost shades restor'd, since all the ills 480
Of banishment through unknown Coasts did seize
On thy poor Brother: Now's thy time to freeze
Under heav'ns spangled Canopy, and stand
Toth' mercy of the cold, and cap-in-hand
Beg entrance at anothers dore: Forget 485
Thy happy state: Those purple robes, beset
With plates of gold, have glister'd long: And thou
Hast sported with thy Brothers ebbe: But now
Unteach thy self, I advise thee, how to raign,
And by thy patient a flight deserv't again.490
This said, a secret flame was kindled in
The Tyrants brest: (so when a Serpents den
Is batter'd, she springs up, who thirsty dwels
In her close coverts; but now chaf'd, she fils
Her gums, and scaly neck with venom'd gore)495
Had not I fully known (saies he) before,
My brothers anger; had not's private spleen
Appear'd thus naked; Faith alone had been
Sufficient pawn for's kingdome: Faith, which swels
Thy looks so big, that whilst thy fancy dwels 500
On him, thou ragest, as if Pioners
Now min'd our walls, or trumpets call'd to wars.
Or the pale Scythians, which know no c Sun,
505 Thou would'st use fairer language, and begin
With greater reverence: But 'tis no sin
Of thy rash soul, I blame: Thy errand's so,
Now since threats usher all, and faith's let goe:
Nor peace is brought to mediate, but thy sword
510 Does rest thy quarr'ling hand; Returne this word
To my brave d Graecian Monarch; not so sowre
As thine, yet my full answer: All that power
Which e equall fortune, and my birthright gives,
I hold, and will maintain: Thy wife relieves
515 Thy wants with Greece her dowry; Thou may'st heap
The f Danaan wealth into thy lap: (I keep
No envious thoughts to blast thy Fortune) Rule
Dirces bare pastures give content to me,
Not sham'd with EOdipus my wretched father.
But thou from th' stock of i Tantalus may'st gather
Far-fetch'd Nobility, and k Pelops heire
Kindred with Iove may'st challenge. Can thy faire
525 Delicious Queen, indure this homely place?
For whom our sisters may esteem't a grace
To spin, forsooth: where l Mothers dreery eyes
And that imprison'd l fathers dismall cries,
If heard, may fright her. And the common folke
[Page 50]Are now accustom'd to indure my yoake.530
Hard were the peoples lot, should they submit
T' I know not whose command, and weeping sit
Under continuall changes; They'l repent
Of duty, to a doubtfull Tyrant lent.
Short raignes spare none. These loyall subjects view,535
What horrour strikes them since this quarrell grew.
Shall these be left to thy sure lash? Thou art
Too hot on't, brother: Say, I would depart
My right, these Senatours would scarce approve
The act, if I have known their purchas'd love,540
Or find due thankes. Tydeus could brook no more,
But interrupts him thus: Thou shalt restore,
Tyrant, thou shalt: If iron rampires guard
Thy person, or m Amphions ditty heard,
Raise treble wals about thee; 'Tis no armes; 545
No fire shall stop me: Thou shalt feele thy harmes
Reveng'd on thine owne head: At thy deaths wound
Thy Captive Diadem shall beat the ground.
Thou justly: but I pity n these, whose lives
Thou mak'st (good King) so cheap: snatch'd from their wives,550
And children to these dismall wars. What blood
Will stain o Cithaeron? What a barb'rous flood
Will fill p Ismenos banks? This is thy care▪
This thy much talk'd-of faith. But I forbear
To wonder at thy Nations crimes: The frame 555
Of thy whole q stock is such, rais'd from the shame
Of thy incestuous Parents; yet ther's r one
Has cleans'd the staine of's birth: 'Tis thou alone
Shalt be O Edipodes; Thy manners here,
And sins, rash man, deserv't; We aske our year.
[Page 51] 560 But I delay — This he roares out i'th doore,
Turning himself about; then tumbles o're
The crowd in's flight: So s Dian's curst avenger
Sets up his bristled neck, and does indanger
The huntsman, with the stroake of's foming tushes,
Rooting up stones and broken shrubs; and plows
The banks with's crooked snowt: He overthrows
570 With a broad arrow, and does sinke their darts
In's strugling shoulder. Tydeus thus departs
From this affrighted councell, with disdaine,
As if himself were here deny'd to raigne.
Thus hurries he, and throws away the Crown
575 Of's treating x Olive. The scar'd matrons run
To th' roofes to see him; thence their curses fling
On's rage, and y closely wish as bad to th' King.
Nor was the Tyrants quick industrous braine
580 In plots lesse subtile; choosing out a traine
Of hearts resolv'd to fight: These he prepares
With money and good words: Then laies his snares
For an exploit that night, hoping t'invade
Th' Ambassadour, (whose z sacred name was had
585 In reverend esteem) and's person seise.
What wo'nt ambition plot? should fortune please
To send thy brother, what new tricks would'st find,
What arts to circumvent him? Oh the blind
[Page 52]Advice of guilty soules! How fearfull's sin!
This troop goes out combin'd, as if't had been 590
To beat up th' enemies Quarters, or to storme
A City wals: Full fifty champions forme
Their ranks; then crowd they through the lofty gate.
Courage, brave soul! thought worthy of such a hate.
These creepe the neerest way, by paths unseen,595
Through shrubs, and crosse the woods: Then lay their scene
For villany. Two remote hillocks stood,
Disjoin'd by a treach'rous passage in the wood,
Shaded by th' neighbour mountain, and the trees
Which grew o'th' top: Here nature seem'd to please 600
Herself in wiles, making this place to hide
Her close deceits. A straight path does divide
The midst o'th cliffe: Under whose hanging head
The pleasant fields, and spacious vallies spread.
Against it, was that deadly cave, in which 605
The Thebane b monster dwelt: Here us'd the witch
To raise up her pale visage: Black gore stood
About her eyes; her wings were stiffe with blood:
She hug'd mens offals; her bare brests did cover
Their halfe devoured bones, whilst she looks over 610
The neighbour fields, to see if any c stranger
Durst aske her riddles, or approach i'th danger
Of her sterne brow, or entertaine discourse:
But then she whets her claws, and screws the force
Of her staind hands; and grinds those teeth, she broke 615
On some late carkasse; flutt'ring with the stroke
Of her unlucky wings, before the eyes
Of her new prey: A while these treacheries
Were undiscover'd, till she met with one
As d wicked as her self: Then tumbles down 620
[Page]With closed wings, upon the rock lay under
Her bloody cav [...], and splits her panch in sunder.
The wood still shewes the mischief; Cattell dread
The neighbour plaines; no hungry flocks dare feed
625 On that accursed grasse; no Nymphs appear
Within these shades, no Fawnes are worship'd there.
The scrich-owles flie from this e prodigious grove:
Yet hither this f unhappy traine does rove
With silent steps, expecting their proud foe:
630 Where leaning on their javelings, they bestow
Their other weapons scatter'd on the ground,
And with thick stations they the woods surround.
The night had now begun to cloake the Sun
With her wet mantle; th' earth was over-run
635 With a darke shade: When Tyd [...]us hastning thither
Spies from the banke, mens shields, with crests and fethers
Glister, where th' boughes grew thin; from th' adverse hill
He sees the Moon-beames dance upon their steel.
This sight amaz'd him, yet goes forward, and
640 Prepares his darts, and grasps his sword in's hand:
Then cals out first: Whence are you? What d'ee here
In this close ambush? Questions void of fear.
To which no answer's giv'n; this did increase
The just suspicion of his doubted peace.
645 When on a sodaine through the duskie aire,
With's brawny arme: But fortune did not aide
This daring blow; yet did it pierce the hide
Of the h Ol [...]an boare, whose bristled skin
650 O're his left shoulder, gave it entrance in
To rase his flesh: And the but-end did light
Upon his neck. This set his haire upright,
[Page]And freez'd his blood: He tosses up and down
His thoughts and eyes, now pale with anger grown.
Nor could he thinke, they had such strength prepar'd 655
[...]Gainst one. Come out, (saies he) come out, y'are dar'd
[...]'th open field. What fear has stop'd your rage?
VVhat cowardize is this? 'Tis I ingage
My single selfe against you. Nor do these
Forbear; whose numbers when he saw increase 660
From their close Coverts; Some o'th top oth' hill
Some in the vallies; nor a few did fill
The plaines, but's way seem'd pav'd with armes: (As when
The huntsmans voice cals wild-beasts from their den
Beset with toyles:) His troubled thoughts invent 665
No help but this; To climbe the steep ascent
To Sphinx her cave; where, batt'ring's hooked nailes
Against the craggy rock, he at last prevailes
To reach the top; which thus obtain'd, secures
His back from fear of danger, and procures 670
A way for's just revenge: He tears a stone
From the maine rock, which well-grown steeres would grone
To draw to th' City: Then uniting all
His strength, with violence he lets it fall.
Against the Lapithans. The k dying troop
Wondring at's height above them, were o'rethrowne
With th'unexpected rock, thus tumbled downe.
Here lay mens mangled faces, hands, and brest,
With weapons which they wore, together prest.680
Four gron'd beneath this burden, th'other fled
With terrour from their project; for those dead
Were not a despicable traine: There was
The Kingly spirit of fierce Dorylas ▪
The l Earth-begotten brood, and Halys whom
No horseman ever conquer'd, but now fals,
O'rewhelm'd on foot; and Phaedimus, who cals
690 The rest, affrighted with this sudden danger,
When Tydeus saw disorder'd; his whole stock
Of armes, two darts, stuck on the side o'th rock,
Were hurl'd at's flying foes; then skips toth' ground:
And lest his naked brest should catch a wound,
695 He snatches up a buckled shield, beside
Prest Theron; guarding's back and head, with th' n hide
Of proof, and fencing's brest with's enemies shield,
He makes a stand. The o Thebanes take the field,
Joyn'd once more in a body, and march on
700 With fixed resolutions. Tydeus soon
Draws out his p Thracian sword, the Martiall gift
Of O Eneus, turning him with many a shift
Of's body; here and there his blows they feel;
And's buckler wards their darts of glitt'ring steel.
705 Their number grows their hind'rance, and their Armes
Fall foule of one another; their owne harmes
Are wrought by their own pow'rs; now wanting strengt [...]
T'offend, the crowd o'rethrows it self at length.
He was so small a marke, their arrows mist ' [...]m,
Thus his unconquer'd arme does still resist [...]um.
Stout r Briareus outbrav'd the armed skie:
[...]nd the Thessalian pines, which Mavors shakes
[...] Pyra [...]mon last: Yet whilst all heav'n conspir'd
[...]n vain to batter'im, he complaines his hands
Are idle still: Thus active Tydeus stands,
Weilding his buckler: now, he does retire,
And guards himself round; now, advances higher 720
Upon their fears; and getting ground, commands
The darts which stuck in's shield, to arme his hands.
Some deep wounds he receiv'd, none deadly yet:
Nor could he fear his death: He does o're set
Raging Deilochus, and then does send 725
Phlegeus to hell, t'accompany his friend,
As he was threatning death, with's heav'd-up blade;
Then Lycophon, and Thebane Gyas had
Like fortune. Now the cowards 'gan to seeke,
And count themselves: nor did they so well like 730
This killing sport: And griev'd to see the throng
Thus melt away. When Chromis (who was sprung
From u Tyrian Cadmus stock) (whose mother, hight
Phoeniceaen Driope forgat the weight
Of her great belly, when she was possest 735
With fury, father w Evan, of thy Priest:
And whilst a strugling bull shee haled on
By'th' hornes, her x paines deliver her of this son:)
Bold with his darts, and's conquer'd Lions skin▪
He shakes his lusty club of knotty pine:740
Exclaiming thus: Shall one man, Friends, shall one
Triumph in Greece, o're your destruction?
Fame scarce will credit him. Mates, where's our pow'r?
[Page 57]Where's our prevailing Armes? We promis'd more
Cydon! t'our King; Lampus! more bold adventers.
His open mouth: His jawes in vaine withstood:
But's voice thus stop'd, his clos'd tongue swims in blood.
And yet he stands, till death had summond all
His limbs; then silent, biting th'spear doth fall.
750 But why conceale I your deserved praise,
My noble Thespian paire? Young Periphas
(The richest mind, i'th choysest body found)
Rais'd up his brothers dying limbs from ground:
His left hand under-props his drooping neck;
755 His right supports his side: Whilst sighes do crack
His straitned brest: Nor could his helme containe
Those floods of tears: But in this weeping vaine,
A furious lance pierc'd his short ribs behind,
Which through him smote his brother too, and joyn'd
760 Their well acquainted brests: z His trembling eyes
Looke up on's brothers death, and then he dies.
Th'other, not spent yet with his wounds, thus wishes:
Such be a thy sons imbraces, such their kisses.
Thus both did fall alike: (a wretched prize
765 For Death:) and clos'd up one anothers eyes.
But he pursues his victories, and chases
M [...]naetes with his shield and darts; whose paces,
Trembling, give back, till the unequall sands
Trip'd up his heeles: Then spreading both his hands,
770 He begs for Quarter; and laies hold o'th' spear
Charg'd now against his throat▪ then makes his prayer.
By these still shades, where stars glide from the skies;
By heav'n; by this thy night of victories;
Spare me to go, and blaze this dismall news
775 In Thebes; and with contempt t'our King, diffuse
Thy glory 'mongst the quaking vulgar: So
[Page 58]Our darts shall fall in vaine, and tho [...] shalt go
Shot-free through all our Armes, and be i'th end
Brought back with triumph to thy longing friend.780
Thus spake he: T'other cleares not up his brow:
Thou spend'st thy te [...]rs in vaine (saies he) 'twas thou
Mad'st promise of my head toth' King, if I
Mistake not: yeild up now thy arm [...]s, and die.
Why wouldst spin out thy life, when b war's at hand?785
With that he draws his weapon back, now staind
With his heart bloud: And crows ore's captives thus:
This is n't the c Trieterick night, in use
Among your Country-men; nor do you see
Inrag'd by Bacchus: Did you thinke to weare
At your soft straines? Or (which true valour scornes)
Meant you, at sound of g Celenean hornes,
To close your wanton h fights? The blows we deal 795
Are sharper, like our fury. Sinke to hell
Ye few, ye o're match'd Cowards. Thus he roares:
But his tir'd spirits stop'd him: All the force
Of's threatning hand was lost: His footsteps falter'd:
His arme lets fall his shield, whose hew was alter'd 800
With drops of blood: a could sweat trickles downe▪
His panting brest: A bloody dew stands on
His locks, and flaming eyes; o're his grim brow,
Whole streames, which spouted from their wounds, did flow
[Page 59] 805 Like as a Lion, when the shepheard's fled,
Preyes on Massilian sheep: But when he's fed
And pamper'd with their blood, which clots his mane,
He stands i'th' midst of o'th' flock, which he hath slaine,
Tir'd, yawning, surfeited; his rage does pawse,
810 A while, and lashes th'aire with's empty jaws:
Licking, with's loll'd-out tongue, their gentle fleeces.
Now Tydeus full of blood, and glorious pieces
Of spoiles, had gone to Thebes in pompe toth' view
O'th frighted Court: But thou didst please to shew
Inflam'd, and with his prosprous fortunes blind.
Great branch of O Eneus's stock, whom we afford
To o'recome Thebes at k distance; sheath thy sword:
Spare heav'n that's too propitious: Thou hast done
820 Beyond beliefe already; now be gone
With fortunes choicest gifts. There did remaine
Unwilling to survive them: (he fore-knew
This fate, being m skill'd in ev'ry bird that flew:)
825 Nor feard he to forewarne the King; but they
Destin'd to death, neglect what he could say.
He (wr [...]tched creature) was condemn'd to live:
To whom grim Tydeus, this harsh charge did give.
Thebane, what e're thou art, whom the next Sun
830 Shall see repriv'd, by our compassion;
Returne this to thy King: Entrench thy gates,
Renew thy armes, view round thy wals defaults:
But chiefly raise more men, complete againe
Thy shatter'd troops: See how this spacious plaine
835 Rea [...]es from my sword. Such spirits all on's bring
[Page 60] [...]o fight. This said, he chose an offering
[...]or thee, kind Pallas, from the field of slaughter:
And makes a heap of carkasses; with laughter
Recounting his own acts: An oake did grow
I'th' middle trench o'th' field, which did not know 840
The age when 'twas first planted: A thick rinde
With crooked twigs, and suckers 'bout it twin'd.
Here helmets are hung up, and targets batter'd
With many stroakes; here broken swords are scatter'd:
Here bindes he shiver'd spears, he could recover 845
Out of their gaping wounds: Then standing over
His heap of armes and bodies, he begins:
Night and the Mountaine ecchoe to his Hymnes.
Goddesse of power, thy 352 Fathers braine and pride:
Great Queen of war, whose cheekes a helme does hide 850
With comely terrour; whose sterne brow is painted
With battels; nor Bellona shriller blows
Her trumpets: be propitious to my vows.
Our slaughters; or forsak'st thy joyfull crew
Bedew'd in r Trit [...]ns streames, where two white mares
Hurry thy war-like Charret: We present
These broken spoiles now, and this pillage rent 860
From our foes shoulders: But if e're we come
To see s Parthaons fields, and finde a home
In t Pleur [...]n, then thy Temples richly gilt
I'th loftiest streets o'th' City shall be built.870
Whence 'twill delight, th' Ionick waves to spie,
[Page]And boistrous Achelous passing by
Th' u Echinades, where's azure waves do raise
The Ocean. Here will I paint the w baies
875 Of our fore-fathers; the majestick brow
Of puissant Princes. Here will I bestow
Their Armes fixt to their Scutcheons: What these broiles
Afford me here, with all those other spoiles
Which thou shalt grant, when Thebes is made our prize.
880 A hundred Calydonian votaries,
Shall wait upon thy x virgin Altars, with
y Athenean torches; binding many a wreath
From thy z chaste tree, with white and purple tires.
Here thy ag'd Priest shall feed a eternall fires;
885 Not searching thy close b myst'ries: Thou shalt bear
The first fruits of our works in peace, and war,
Without c Diana's anger. Thus he spoke,
And to sweet Argos, straight his journey tooke.
Finis Lib. II. Statii Thebaid.
Argument. Lib. III. Statii Thebaidos.
Maeon reports toth' King his Captaines fall;
Then dies himselfe, denied his funerall:
The howling Matrons run toth' bloody field
To weep upon the dead. Mavors does yield
At Joves command, toth' Thebane wars; though hindred
By Venus pray'rs. Tydeus returning, tendred
His aide to Polynices, who's affected
With's Brothers wrongs: Nor are his wounds neglected.
On Aphesas, the Prophets Auguries
Are taken: Capaneus does them despise.
Argia does implore her Fathers aide
Toth' war; he grants the boon for which she praid.
BUt the persidious Thebane Prince, forbears
All rest, this a doubtfull night; though the moist stars
Had a long race to morning: His b base act
Keeps watch about his soule; and does exact
Just punishment: Whilst fear (which prophesies 5
The worst of doubts) all her conjectures tries.
Alas! saies he, why stay they? (he did thinke
The taske was easie: Tydeus needs must shrinke
At sight of such a power; nor did he weigh
His courage with their Numbers) did they stray 10
Through some wrong path? Is there an army rais'd
From Greece to's succour? or's the Rumour blaz'd
Through neighbour Cities, of our base attempt?
[Page 63]Were some few Cowards chose fit for contempt,
15 Great Father Mars? Chromis and Dorilas,
The Thespians too, true champions to our cause,
Were there: whole Greece could not withstand their armes:
And sure he brought no guard of hidden charmes
T'oppose our darts; He wore no coate of mayle,
20 No plates of brasse. Ye sluggards! which do faile
Thus long o're one! If battell yet be joyn'd.
Thus various heates of rage distract his minde.
But above all he blames himselfe, who spar'd
The Legate when's Ambassage was declar'd
25 Ith' Court: and did not quench that fire, in's blood:
Now he's asham'd, and in another mood
Repents. As the Calabrian Pilot plowes
Th' c Ionick waves, where every shoale he knowes
And creeke; Intic'd out from the friendly shore,
Cause the d Olenean Goat rose cleere before:
30 But when a winters storme o'resets him, all
The ports flie ope, e Orion does let fall
Huge tempests: Then he longs for land, and rowes
To shore amaine: But a strong South-wind blowes
Oth' sterne to Sea: When leaving's skill, he grieves,
35 And toth' blinde waves, himselfe he blindly gives:
Thus troubled lies Eteocles, and blames
The slow-pac'd Light's not-yet-approaching beames.
But loe! when nights black steeds their course had run,
Bathing ith' Eastern Sea: The wombe o'th' Earth,
(As 'twere to give strange prodigies a birth)
Shakes off his snow, the hils seem'd lifted up:
And Thebes seav'n gates threatned to clash together:45
The cause appear'd; i Maeon returned thither
From his could quarters, vext with k Fate, and sad
Because he liv'd: Nor yet the Dawning had
Fully discover'd him. But's lamentation
Was a sure token of their desolation.50
And now his stock of teares were spent; As when
The heardsman comes from's pastures back again,
Spoil'd by the Country wolves, whose Masters herd
Was fled out of his Grove that night, afear'd
Of stormes rais'd by the l blunted hornes o'th Moone:55
Next day their slaughter's seen; Nor dares he run
To tell this newes at home, but strew'd with m sand
He fils the Vale with's plaints, hating the land
His n silent folds were pitch't on, and does roare
For his lost buls, which now he calleth o're.60
Soone as the crowd of Matrons see him come
Toth' gates alone, without his troops, or some
O'th valiant Captaines with him; They (alas!)
Dar'd not to aske, but made an outcry: As
A City storm'd would do, or seamen shout 65
Launching a ship toth' Maine. When he found out,
To his desire, the hated King, saies he,
Sterne Tydeus recommends one soule to thee,
One wretched soule, of all thy traine: If this
Were the gods will, or Fortunes, or (which is 70
A shame to speake) the foes unconquered might;
I, which relate it, scarce can thinke it right:
[Page 65]All, all are dead: Witnesse ye stars above,
My partners Ghost, and that o ill fate which drove
75 Me back againe: No craft, nor teares did gaine
This cruell pardon, lifes p dishonour'd staine:
But the q command of heav'n and constant Fate
Unchang'd from her decrees, or Pluto's gate
Late shut against me, did forbid my death:
80 Would'st know, how prodigall I'me grown of breath,
How little fearing hell? Then blood-hound hear:
Thou'st rais'd a fatall, a forbidden war.
Whilst in contempt of Lawes, and brothers right
Banish'd, a Scepter's onely thy delight.
85 A list of widow'd houses fill'd with cries,
And fifty r Ghosts hov'ring before thine eyes.
With horrour, night and day, shall fright thy mind,
And be thy guard; Nor will I stay behind.
With this the fierce Kings brest was swolne with ire:
90 His sterne brows flam'd, his blood was set on fire.
Straight, Phlegias and Labdacus, prepar'd
For all injustice (Captaines of his Guard)
Would force him from the presence. But he had
With daring courage, now unsheath'd his blade:
95 And staring on the Tyrant with an eye
Glancing on's steele; Thou hast not right (quoth he)
To any blood of mine; Nor shalt thou strike
That breast which Tydeus spar'd: I go to seeke
Forbidden death with triumph; and am borne
100 With s expectation to my partners Urne.
Heav'n and thy Brother plague thee. — But this sound
Was stop'd with's blade, sunke up to th' hilts in's wound.
He strives against deaths pangs; and doubling all
His strength t'a second stroke, on's sword does fall.
105 His trembling soule thus panteth, whilst his bloud
Streames from his mouth and wounds in a double floud.
[Page 66]The Nobles minds were strooke, and all the round
Mutt'red their troubled thoughts. Whilst he still frown'd,110
With lookes unchang'd by death; his wife and friends
(Not long joy'd with his company) attends
On's corps to's house. The Tyrant sticks not here,
But interdicts his fun'ralls; and (as 'twere
To make his sins compleat) in vaine does turne 115
The Ghost that felt it not, from's quiet Urne.
But thou, whose Fate was great, as was thy soule,
Who, ne're to be forgotten, durst controule
Th'imperious King; and pave a way in which
Blest liberty might ride! What verse, what speech 120
Can raise thy name, as high as thy deserts?
Thou God-delighting Prophet! Heav'nly Arts
Were not taught thee in vaine. Apollo's t baies
Did well become thy brows. u Dodona's praise,
Now Phoeb' is mute, to unresolve our fear.
And now far distant from the Stygian coasts,
But thine, may enter: where the Tyrants name
Has no command. a His shape remaines the same,130
His limbes untouch'd by rav'nous beasts, and where
He lay expos'd, the birds with awe forbeare.
But wives, and Orphans, with sad Parents, spred
Through all the plaines, and rocks, run who should feed
Their eyes first, with their miseries: (It was 135
A sad contest:) whilst many thousands passe
Along to comfort them: And some haste on
To see what one man, in one night had done.
The way reek'd with their sighs: Their cries were heard 140
[Page 67]Through all the fields: But when those rocks appear'd
And that b unhallow'd wood; (as if their shreikes
140 Now first began, and tears first stain'd their cheeks)
One generall out-cry's made: this sight of blood
Had kindled all their rage. Black sorrow stood
In mourning weeds, all torne, and mangled paps
Inviting on the Matrons. They unclaspe
145 The beavers from their stiff'ned brows, and shew
The bodies, as they found them, which they knew:
Falling on friends and strangers. One besmeares
Her locks with goare: some close the eyes: Her tears
Are shed to bath his wounds: This plucks a dart
150 With a vaine pity, from her husbands heart.
Part fit the trunke limbs as they grew before,
And joyne the shoulders to the head they bore.
But Ide, mother to the Thespian paire,
Wandring i'th' braky sands, whose scatter'd haire
155 Was tuck'd up (as her double losse commands)
In carelesse manner, having bath'd her hands
I'th blood of her pale cheekes: Not wretched now,
Now not unhappy: Fear and dread does flow
From both her eyes. Thus, through the field of war
160 And slaughter, powd'ring her neglected haire
With dust; she seekes her widow'd joyes, and moanes
O're ev'ry slaughter'd carkasse, for her sons.
As a Thessalian hag, joy'd with the newes
Of some late c battell; (from whose Countries use
165 Shee'has learnd, to charme up, some departed wight)
Traces the fields; where ev'ry corpse is tost
As't welters in its blood, to see what Ghost
[Page 68]To her commands, freest it selfe engages,
Those lay together, underneath the rock;
Happy, to fall the same day, by th' same stroke:
Their breasts were pegg'd together with the speare;
Which when her eyes saw, (having drop't a teare)
Sons, is't a Mother (saies she) that beholds 175
These your close kisses? These your loving folds?
Has deaths too cruell wit, thus coupled you
I'th close of life? Whose wounds first shall I view?
Whose lips salute? Are you your Mothers glory?
My wombs best fortune? Which should raise my story 180
To heav'n, outvying other g Matrons names;
Ah! how much happier are those coupled Dames
Whose barren wombes n'ere call'd Lucina down
To ease their paines? my paines my ills may owne.
Nor fell you nobly in the h day of war,185
The talke of Nations, what things you did dare;
Leaving a badge of honour to your Mother:
You died a poor, base death, which night would smother.
Could so great blood steale without praise to th' grave?
But Ile not strive to part you, or to have 190
Your hands untwined as they lie embrac't:
And breake your league of death. Goe Brethren, last
Long, undistinguisht; when your bodies burne,
And may your kinde Ghosts mingle in your Urne.
Thy wife laments no lesse Chromis for thee,195
And Pentheus mother, sad Astioche,
Having prepar'd the Fun'rals: You might gather
From Phaedrims infants, they had lost their Father:
Phylleus her spouse, Marpissa weepes; alas!
Whilst sisters bath the bloody Achamas. 200
Now they lop'd downe the i wood, and shav'd the head
[Page 69]O'th' neighbour hill, which witness'd this black deed,
And saw their teares. But sage Alethes stood
Before the piles, and whilst no mourner could
205 Be drawne from their owne fires, his reverend age
Seekes with these words their sorrows to asswage.
Our Nation seldome has been free from danger
By'th' sport of Fate, since the k Sidonian stranger
Threw his curs'd seed in our Aonian plaines,
210 Whence new blades sprung & fields affright their Swaines.
But Thebes ne're wept so loud, when lightning turn'd
Old Cadmus l court to ashes, where it burn'd
By Iuno's counsell: Nor when Athamas
Downe from the mount with fun'rall m spoiles did passe,
215 Shouting for his halfe-dead Learchus feares.
Nay Thebes was bath'd in no more fruifull teares,
When tir'd n Agave's madnesse found reliefe,
And stood amaz'd at her companions griefe.
The fate and mischiefe of this single day
220 Is like the time, when Niobe did pay
For her proud boasts, where overwhelm'd with ills,
She gives so many o corpses to their piles.
So left the people then the naked City,
Whilst aged Sires, and rankes of Matrons pity,
225 That heav'n should envy thus, and ev'ry p gate
Was crowded with two Funerals: My Fate
Then taught me, like my Parents to lament;
Although my years knew not what sorrowes meant,
Heav'n wrought all this: Nor griev'd I more because
230 The furious dogs, knew not their q Masters face
Forbidden sights: or when thy blood did glide
Great r Queen, in new-sprung streames: 'Twas the decree
Of Fate, and Ioves high pleasure. Whereas we
Are rob'd o'th' kingdomes pillars, all our power,
By one false Tyrants fault. Nor at this hower,235
Greece, how th' Ambassage was rejected, hears:
And now, we thinke, we waile the worst of wars.
How shall the horses foame? what sweaty brows
Will roule i'th' dust? how red the Current flowes?
Green years will see this: Whilst I may, will I 240
Kindle my pile: and in my Country lie.
Thus spake th'old Father: and much aggravates
Etheocles his sin, whil'st he relates,
His cruell, wicked purpose, which ere long
Just vengeance would pursue. What taught his tongue 245
This freedome? He foresaw his end was nigh,
His dayes were spent, and he would bravely die.
The King of heav'n from's stately palace, view'd
These Nations first, in their owne blood imbru'd.
And sends post-haste for Mars. Who laying waste 250
And drove his charret furiously, toth' skie:
Lightning did creast his helme; the gold did die
On's cruell armes; which quickned with the shapes
Of monstrous beasts, he shooke: Whilst thunderclaps 255
Crack heav'n: a bloody-red light sets upon
His shield, whose envy strikes the distant Sun.
When Iove beheld him, puffing with his late
Sarmatick paines, and swelling still with hate,
And warr's huge Tempest; Go, saies he, appeare 260
Through Greece, as th'art: Nor sword, nor anger clear,
All, but thy selfe: Thee, in their lives estate
And fortunes: Breake delaies; Cashiere that u peace
265 We gave them. Thou maist fire heav'n if thou please;
Thou maist disturbe my quiet. I have sowne
The seed of discord thus: Tydeus does frowne
At his returne, reporting the base act
Attempted by the King, fit to contract
270 As base a war; The treacheries which were laid,
And by his steele reveng'd: 'Tis thou must adde
Credit to's words. Ye gods, which draw your line
From me, dissent not: Hope not, to decline
My sentence by your prayers: The black clew
275 O'th' sister-Fates has sworne; this day is due
To Mars, from th' Earths first fabrick; and those are
A people destin'd, from their birth to war.
But should my justice finde you her gaine-saiers,
Not to plague old offences in the heires;
280 Witnesse y'Eternall Towers; Thou Cabinet
Of mine owne thoughts; And what, as heav'n, I set
In mine esteeme, Thou cleare Elyzian water;
This hand shall Thebes, and her proud bulwarkes batter:
Whose towers raz'd to the ground, on Greece Ile powre:
285 Or turne them both, to poysoned Lakes, by a shower
Of blood rain'd downe: Though w Iuno in her armes
Embrace her hils and Temples, midst these harmes.
This said, they trembling, doe their speech forbear,
And quell their thoughts, as if they mortalls were.
290 As when the windes in league, becalme the seas,
No waves forbid the shoare to sleepe at ease;
The shady leaves, and clouds, are scorch'd with heat,
Without a blast to coole them: Then the great
And roaring lakes contract themselves: The Sun
[Page 72]Drinkes up the streames which now with silence run,295
Mars triumphs at these summons; as he rides
On's f [...]ery wheeles, toth' left the reynes he guides.
And having re [...]ch'd his journey, Heav'ns ascent,
Venus does boldly 'fore his steedes present
Herselfe: They startling back, let fall their manes 300
With reverence: She on their harnesse leanes;
And glancing her moist eyes, makes this complaint:
(Meane while his, steeds were fed with Adamant
Which sprung besides her feet:) Prepar'st thou war
So kind a war? And seek'st thou to destroy
Thy off-spring? Can't Harmonie, nor the joy
Of heav'n, those y weddings; Can't my tears be heard
To stop thy rage? Is this a just reward
For my z offence? Left I my bashfull spirit▪ 310
And wore I a Lemnian chaines, that I might merit
This boone? Proceed. But 'tis another duty
Wrong'd Vulcan payes; whose anger serves my beauty.
He would be glad, eternally to sweat
In's forge, at my command: And nightly sit 315
Watching at's anvile: He would hammer, Thee,
Ev'n Thee, a suite of armes. Yet Thou — But I
Thinke by my teares, to melt a rockie heart,
A heart of brasse. This onely this impart:
I beg it: Why didst cause my childe to take 320
A Tyrian spouse, and fatall wedlock make?
Thy boast was, that those champions of Tyre,
Though sprung from b Vipers, challeng'd Iove, their Sire;
Brave lively spirits. Oh that my girle had joyn'd
[Page 73]Beyond thy Thrace. I'st not enough disgrace,
Queen Venus's daughter d creeps upon the grasse,
And spits her poyson in th' Illyrian coast?
But now a Nation undeserving's lost.
330 The Warriour could no longer bear this waste
Of teares, but handling's speare, leaps downe in haste
From's lofty Chariot; where his buckler meets her
With rough embraces, and thus kindly greets her.
Thou sweet refreshment from my warlike toyles.
335 My soules content; whose beauty only foyles
My darts, 'mongst gods or men; who safely charm'st
My foming steeds, and this right hand disarm'st:
I ha'nt forgot th'alliance Cadmus claimes,
Nor thy dear Love: (Let me not bear these blames
340 Unjustly:) sooner Ile be drench'd in hell,
And driv'n disarm'd to the pale Furies cell.
But now the Fates decree, and Ioves command
I must obey (Thy Vulcan has no hand
Fit for such service:) How dare I oppose
345 Ioves pleasure, or contemne what hee'l impose?
When late he spoke, heav'n, earth, and the vast deep
(Strange power!) stood trembling: Nay the gods did creep,
And hid themselves, though of his ranke: Yet, dear,
Be not possess't with a despairing fear:
350 Since there's no change, Ile an assistant sit
Toth' Thebane armes, when both their hosts shall meet
Under the Tyrian wals: Then shalt thou see
Me, hurry through the field of blood, and be
A terrour to the Graecians, with more joy.
355 No law, nor destiny does this deny.
This said, he whips his horses through the skie:
Ioves thunderbolts do not more swiftly flie
To th' distant Earth, when on the snowy head
[Page 74]And armes his hand i'th clouds: Downe fall his darts 360
Bearing his sad commands; Their sparkeling, starts
The Universe, should they a drought infer
Toth' Earth, or shipwrack to the Mariner.
Now Tydeus did his wary steps recall
Toth' Graecian plaines, and sweet Prosymna's dale:365
His lookes affright; his haire with dust abounds;
A showre of sweat fals into's open wounds.
His eyes looke red with watching; thirst contracts
His drawn-up mouth: his mind feeds on his acts,
And breathes his lasting fame. Just so, comes back 370
The pushing bull to's pastures; with his neck
And deawlap, and torne shoulders drench'd in gore
Of's owne, and's enemies blood: Though tir'd before,
His courage rises now: His pride does grow
From sight of's mangled breast: His conquer'd foe 375
Lies roaring, as he tumbles on the ground,
Which bids him slight the anguish of his wound.
Thus he returnes; and as he pass'd, enflames
The Inland townes, betwixt f Asopus streames
And Argos: Every where discoursing, how 380
Himselfe Ambassadour from Greece did goe,
To aske for banish'd Polynices right:
Where he endur'd such force, so black a night,
That craft, those treach'rous armes combin'd together,385
By'th' Tyrants charge, who'l not resigne t [...]'s brother.
The people soone beleeve him; Mars prepares
Their credulous souls, and Fame does raise their feares.
He entring on a sodaine at the gate,
What time Adrastus and his Nobles sate 390
[...]n Parliament:) cries out, at th' Palace doore:
[...]rme, Arme my sparkes; and thou great Soveraigne power
[...]hich rulest Greece; if any grandsires blood
[...]oe swell thy veines; to Armes: All that is good
[Page 75] 395 And right, all thoughts of heav'n are fled from men:
More safely, I a Legate might have been
To th' greedy Scythians, or that bloody g theife
Of the Bebrician wood. Nor do I grieve
Or check you for commanding: I am glad
400 I'm glad I went, and prov'd what strength they had
In guilty Thebes. Trust me an Army back'd
With night and craft, besieg'd me, in a tract
Of ground I knew not, naked; yet in vaine:
As they had gone some fortresse to obtaine,
405 Or well-fenc'd towne, appoint [...]d Cap-a-pe,
And arm'd with plots, they came t'encounter me.
There weltring in their blood, before the wall
O'th h empty City. Now's the time to fall
On our affrighted foes, when they have made
410 Their fun'rall piles, ere I ungraspe my blade:
Though tir'd with sending fifty soules toth' grave,
My wounds not cleans'd, and bleeding, yet I crave,
Let's march away. Th' amazed Graecians rise,
But first the Thebane meets, with downe-cast eyes:
415 I am accurs'd of heav'n, who guilty view
Thy wounds, untouch'd my selfe: Was this my due
At my returne, dear Brother? was this strife
Level'd at me! O base desire of life!
Wretch! that I should deny this crimson i staine
420 To my false Brother. But, may you remaine
Long blest with peace: A stranger shan't beget
Your trouble: Neither ha's my fortune yet
Swell'd me so high, but that I know what smart
And griefe it is, from wife and babes to part,
425 And Country: No dismembred family,
Nor pensive Matrons eye shall squint on me.
[Page 76]Ile goe resolv'd for death, although my spouse
And Father-in-law againe should stop my vowes.
This life to Thebes, and to my brother's due,
And Thee, great Tydeus. Thus his speeches screw 425
Into their mindes, whilst he windes in his k prayers.
But these complaints had mov'd their spleen; In teares
They boyle their griefe. One purpose does ingage
The breasts of all; both young, and such whose age
Had cool'd their spirits: All would rise as one,430
And call in neighbours help; and straight be gone.
But brave Adrastus, who knew well to guide
A Scepter, cries, Let l heav'n and me decide
This matter. Neither shall th'Usurper live
Without revenge; nor you too hastie give 435
Promise for war. But now let's entertaine
Tydeus, triumphing o're so many slaine:
Whose gallant soul from rest may finde reliefe:
Reason shall moderate us in our griefe.
The Peeres were struck with this, his wife grew pale:440
Glad Tydeus now surrounded by them all,
Wearied with's war, and travailes, was repos'd
I'th midst o'th hall; his back to a pillar clos'd:
Whilst m Epidaurian Idmon baths him, who
Was skill'd i'th' Surgeons launce, and simpling too.445
He taken up with lofty thoughts, discourses
The cause o'th' jar, how they reply'd in courses;
In what place they way-lay'd him; at what hower;
What Captaines came against him, of what power; 450
Who put him hardest to't: Then he relates,
How he spar'd Maeon, to report their fates.
The round of Nobles, with the King's amaz'd,
To hear't: The banish'd Thebanes [...]pirit's rais'd.
[Page 77]The Sun descending toth' Hesperian shoare,
Had loos'd his fiery steeds, and washes ore
460 Their glitt'ring manes i'th' Ocean: He was met
By Nereus traine, and th' Howres with nimble feet.
These take the reines off; and th' imbroydred crest
Of's Crowne, they unharnesse their chaf'd back and brest.
Some lead his steeds to pasture, when they're coole,
465 Some set the Chariot up, and mount the pole:
Night comming on composeth humane care,
And stops the wilde-beasts ranging; heav'n does weare
A sable robe: All do partake this boone,
Except Adrastus, and his Thebane son.
470 For Tydeus slept securely, whilst the Theame
Of's valour was presented in his dreame.
And now the god of war, this gloomy night
Clatters his steele; and though he do affright,
Yet he allures their soules, through all the bounds
475 Of Arcadie, and the Nemaean townes:
With Phoeb's great presence. Rage and anger dress'd
His horses manes: Terrour his Squire, does use
The reynes; and Fame, which watches every newes,
480 Collecting various tumults, and driv'n on
Byth' horses breath, turnes his Postilion:
And shakes her quivering wings with sounds of fear,
Forc'd on byth' bloody whip o'th' Charioteer,
To speake both truth and falshood: Th'angry god
485 Lashes her back-parts with a Scythian rod.
As windes set by their Captaine Neptune free
From their AEolian gaole, before him flee
Sad company, and gloomy winter crouds
490 About his wheeles; and ugly Tempests, hurl'd
From the torne Center of the scatter'd world.
And q Gyarus; and does implore the aide,
And claims the promise, her great r Nurse-child made.495
Now the seventh morning courted heav'n and earth,
Giving the day from her fair lips a birth;
When the s old King, from's privy chamber came,
Much doubtfull, much distracted with the name
Of war, and's fiery sons: He can't resolve,500
Whether to be their Generall, and involve
The nations in their quarrell; Or refraine
His raging brest, and sheath his sword againe.
This way sweet peace provok'd; then he's asham'd
Of lazy ease, and's subjects all inflam'd 505
With fresh desires of war: But yet, at last
His doubts are clos'd with this; He'l go, and tast
The Prophets minds, and try what th' t Altars meane,
Which best discover truth. This was thy Scene
w Amithaons son, who flourish'd still in mind,
And Phoeb's great presence; 'Twas a doubt it seems
Who best belov'd, drunk most of x Cyrrha's streams.
They try the Gods, with entrails first, and blood
Of cattell slain; whose speckled hearts withstood:515
And shrivel'd veines spoke mischief to their feare:
Yet they'l abroad and guesse y i'th open ayre.
[Page 79]There was a mount, whose daring top did passe
The clouds; the Grecians call it z Aphesas;
520 Once sacred to the Argives: Hence 'tis said
Swift Perseus took his flight, and did invade
The heav'ns: His frighted a mother saw his feet
Part from the rock, and would have followed it.
Here came the Prophets, having deckt their browes
525 And sacred locks, with garlands made oth' boughs
Of the white Olive; when th' appearing Sun
Moistned the fields, and bid the frost be gone.
And first b Oeclides thus invoketh heav'n:
Almighty Iove, from whom all pow'r is giv'n
530 To th' winged crew, that birds know what's to come,
Discovering heav'ns advice, and secret doome:
Not c Cyrrha's Oracle speaks the God more plaine,
Not the d Chaonian oakes, which men do feigne,
Doe answer thee. Though dusty e Hammon fret;
535 And th' f Patarean lots contend, or yet
Or watry Pisa's i swaines, when they doe gather
Pans nightly answer's in the dark; Those souls
Are most enrich'd, to whom thy lucky fowles
To birds: 'tis ancient. Either when the frame
[Page 80]O'th' world was moulded out o'th' Chaos, then
The great Creatour gave it; Or, once l men
They chang'd their shapes, and chose t' inhabit in
The aire: Or their pure climate, where no sin 545
Does nestle, whilst they seldome touch the earth,
Has taught them truth; Chiefe power, which gav'st a birth
To all things, Thou knowst best. Vouchsafe from heav'n
To let us know what paines, what fate is giv'n
Toth' Graecian battailes: If th'unchanged Powers 550
Decree, that we shall force the Thebane Towers
Discover't with m a left-hand crack: Let birds
I'th aire consent to't, chirping hidden words.
If thou deny't; here stop us: Cloud the day
With right-hand shoales: This spoken, he does lay 555
His limbs o'th' rock; where, to more gods he cries
Unknowne, and looking stedfast n dimms his eyes.
Thus having parted 'twixt them all the skie,
Their eyes and mind in ev'ry Coast do prie:
At last Melampus cals: do'st thou not see,560
Amphiaraus, under heav'ns Canopy
There's no bird makes a prosprous flight? There's none
Hovers with cleare wings in this region?
There's none flies clapping with a luckie sound?
Nor th' p Eagle bearing lightning, nor the Owle
Minerva's howling q bird is in the Shole.
The best diviner here's a Vultur▪ or
Some ravenous Kites, aloft triumphing soare.
[Page 81]A monstrous flight! heark, what a dismall skritch
They make ith' clouds; what groans the night-birds fetch!
What ill presaging tunes, the Scritch-owles holloe!
Must we, these first portents of mischief follow?
Their hook'd clawes doe their bloudy faces teare.
Their wings doe beat the wind, whose clapping sound
Resembles sobs: Their feather'd breasts they wound.
Then he proceeds, I've oftentimes endur'd
575 Heav'ns ominous tokens, since I went aboord
In the Thessalian s bark, scarce past a child,
Among those royall t demi-gods, who fill'd
Their souls with wonder, when I did declare
The fate of Sea and Land; Iason gave eare
When doubts arose: But never yet the skies
Seem'd so prodigious: never so great feare:
Yet more's a comming. Mark, in that bright Spheare
Of heav'n a thousand swans have clos'd their ranks:
Or fruitfull Nile has sent them: Here their flight
Is stopp'd; think these present Thebes to thy sight.
For silent in a quiet round they're set,
As if they were entrench'd with walls. But yet
590 A stronger troop mounts through the aire: I spie
Sev'n golden x Birds of Iove, in triumph flie:
Imagine these are 462 Grecian Captains: They
Have entred the Swans circle, where they prey
With their hook'd talons on their slaughter'd foes;
[Page 82]And claspe their clawes, at more. But see, it blowes,610
And rains down drops of bloud: the day is drest
In plumes: How soon Ioves anger has distrest
The conquering party! z He, which soar'd so high,
Scorch'd with the Suns quick beams do's fall and die.
a T'others forsaken by his tender wings,615
Whilst he mounts after stronger birds: b This clings
About his foe, and falls together; c He
Turns back, and flies from's partners destinie.
Dies feeding on his living Enemy.620
Their bloud has stain'd the clouds. Why do'st thou f steal
Soft tears, Melampus? I discover well,
Who falleth now. Thus, fearfull of th'event,
And g feeling what their visions did present;
The Prophets stand affrighted. Now they grieve 625
They'ntruded 'mongst the birds, and without leave
Screw'd into heav'ns designes: Anon they hate
The answ'ring Gods. What fury did create
This eager Love in mortalls, to make known
Things yet to come? Was't heav'ns gift? or their own 630
Ambitious thoughts, content with no estate?
We search the birth, and end of time; what fate
The highest h Pow'r, and hardned destinies
Determine for us. Hence we cast our eyes
On entrails, list'ning to the birds discourse; 635
We trace the stars, and reckon i Phoebe's course;
Of our forefathers never durst presage
Thus boldly: l They were borne of stumps of rocks,
630 And only labour'd to encrease their stocks
In woods or tillage. Mortals may not strive
To know to morrow's doome: And yet we dive,
(Poore Vulgars) in Heav'ns secrets: hence our Lies,
Feares, Anger, Craft, immodest hopes arise.
635 The Prophet therefore tearing from his brows
His garland now discharg'd, without his boughs
Of honour, leaves th'unlucky mountaine: Where
The noise of war and trumpets greet his eare:
For distant Thebes boyl'd in their breast; He brooks
640 Neither the Kings discourse, nor Peoples looks,
Nor the Peers meetings: Hid in's [...]ecret Cell
The Gods acts he refuses to reveale.
Thy shame, Melampus, and thy cares retain'd
645 His tongue; whose silence, Prince and People holds
In doubts. But Ioves command now chafes their souls:
Whole towns and countries straight unpeopled lie;
Mars prest a thousand troups: With joy they flie
From house, and lovely brides, and infants tears,
650 At home; The God did so possesse their fears.
They pluck down weapons from their Grandsires halls,
And charriots fastned to the Temple walls.
Then burnish they their rusty darts, and set
Their canker'd swords for slaughter, which they whet
655 On stones to glaze them. Some fit their smooth Crests,
And buckling brass-seam'd Corslets on their breasts,
They try their crackling Coats of maile; these bend
Their Cretian horns: Some, hooks and plow-shares send▪
[Page 84]Toth' forge, with spades and harrows, where they glow:
Some do not stick, to cut down spears which grow 660
In consecrated groves; cov'ring their shields
With o skins of Oxen, which have plough'd their fields.
They break int' Argos next, and roar out war
At the Kings dore; their Clamours reach as far
Desires to change his side: the mountain thus
Thunders within its fiery caves: the top
Vomits huge Cinders, which begin to stop
Divided now, hopes to be joyn'd agen.670
And now the hot desire of war did seize
The soul of Capaneus, long tir'd with peace;
Whose bloud was stream'd from noble veins; but he
Out [...]trips his grandsires acts: Long liv'd he free
In his contempt of heav'n, neglect of right,675
A daring soul, where Anger did excite.
Like one of shady s Pholoes tenants, and
Amongst t th' AEtnean brethren fit to stand.
Before thy dore, Amphiaraus, where
The crowd of Captains, and mad vulgars were; 680
Argives, he cries, what sluggishnesse does tame
Your spirits? And you Grecians; is't not shame
So many arm'd, couragious nations wait
At one poore Citizens oraculous gate?
Should Phoeb' himself (what ever fears of men 685
And fame has made him) from's inspired den
Within the hollow top of u Cyrrha, mutter;
Her ridd'ling terrours; courage and this steel
690 Are all the Deity's to which I'le kneel▪
Call out the Prophet with his juglings, now:
Or I'le make triall what his birds can do.
The Grecian bands do shout for joy, and crown
His rage with their applause: x O Eclides soon
695 Was forc'd to make appearance; but his brest
Was with another y sourse of cares opprest.
I leave not my dark Cell, saith he, for fear
Of this rash young mans clamours, though he bear
Mad threatnings in his tongue: another fate
700 Must close my life, which cannot take a date
From z mortall hands. 'Tis your Love, and the God
Too pow'rfull in me, bids me spread abroad
These sec [...]ets: Sadly▪ I'le discover all,
You must expect to happen. Neither shall
To thee alone is silent. Wretched Men!
Why, why d'ee take up armes? the Fates, and heav'n
Resisting. Whither have the Furies driv'n
Your blinded souls? Are lives so burdensome?
710 Argos so odious? Nothing sweet at home
Slight ye heav'ns signes? Why did ye make me passe,
With trembling steps toth' top of b Aphesas,
T'intrude int' heav'n? I might have liv'd like you,
Not knowing the black daies that shall pursue
715 Our armies: Nor mine own, nor others doome;
Nor th' Omens, seen: (Witnesse thou secret womb
O'th' world, that counsel'dst me; ye chirping birds
And thou c Thymbraeus, listning to my words
[Page 86]More gently heretofore) Prodigious signes
Of ruine, I beheld: Mens base designes
Were seconded byth' Gods d: Furies did mock,720
And 492 Lachesis tore lives off from her rock.
Lay down your armes: God has your rage withstood▪
God has withstood. Is't sport, with captive bloud
To water Cadmus f tilth, Aonian plains?
But why do I lose my song? why take I pains 725
To drive back fixed chance? There's no release,
We g must go. Here he sighs and holds his peace.
But Capaneus replies: Prophet, on thee
Light all thy madnesse, and those plagues; to be
May no i field-Musick rattle in thy eare.
Why stop'st thou nobler Spirits? Is't forsooth
For us, to suffer thee to hug thy sloth
At home? t'enjoy thy foolish birds, and son▪
And wife? But unreveng'd forget, what's done 735
To gallant Tydeus, and the league they break?
But if the Grecians may not fight, go speak,
As a new Legate, to the Thebanes; sure
Thy holy k Garlands will thy peace secure.
Shall th' hidden cause, and ground of things, be given 740
Byth' stars at thy command? I pitty heav'n,
If pray'rs or charms can move it. Why do' [...]t fright
Dull sluggish souls? Fear first, gave Gods their height▪
Yet now, rage on securely; but when first,
Th'alarme is giv'n, and we shall quench our thirst 745
Beware of meeting then, when we breath slaughter
[Page 87]Harness'd toth' battell: think not a crosse bird,
Or wind, shall make that battail be deferr'd.
750 This wanton Mitre then were best be gone,
And terrible Apollo's madnesse. None
But I, and such as I am, daring men,
Shall divine there. A shout was rais'd agen,
By such as did incourage him: which flies
755 With a vast tumult, underneath the skies.
Like a swift torrent, which do's nimblier flow
With spring-tydes, or the hils dissolving snow,
When it ore-spreads the plains, maugre the shoares
Resistance; there tempestuously it roares
760'Mongst buildings, corn, flocks, men: At last 'tis stop'd
Against a hill, or with steep banks o'r [...]top'd.
These Captains quarrels here the night did part:
But poor Argia with a pensive heart
Bearing her husbands grief, and pittying their
765 True Fellowship in sorrow, with her hair
Dishevel'd, as it was; and furrow'd cheeks,
Into her Fathers lofty Palace breaks.
Carrying m Thessander at her breast; when night
Dis-mantled at th'approaching of the light:
Toth' Sea, do's envy. When sh'had enter'd in,
And kneel'd before her reverend Sire, she saies:
You know, dear Father, should I hold my peace,
Why thus with tears, without my spouse, ith' night
775 I come into your presence: By that right
Our births may challenge: by your self, I swear,
He did not bid me: 'twas that waking care,
And sleep disturb'd with sighs, since Hymen plighted
Our faiths, and Iuno's fatall torch was lighted.
[Page 88]If Tygers milk had nurs'd me, or rocks grew
Beneath my heart, I could not bear't: 'tis you
Have onely means to help: All powers are
In your own hands: Dear Father, wage a war:785
Pity your son's low fortunes: Pity this
Poore banish'd-fathers child: What shame it is?
He first, was entertain'd; and heav'n, you'l find
Witness'd the contract, when our hands were joyn'd.
Sure this is he, foretold [...]yth' Oracle:790
I stole no close heats, no fires blameable:
I lov'd at your command: 'twas your advice.
Now with what cruelty can I despise
His sad complaints? Father, you know not yet,
What Love, a husbands misery can beget.795
Now my sad soul puts up unpleasing wishes,
Shall be divided; at the dismall day,
When the shrill trumpets call your Armes away,
When you shall shine in your enamel'd steel; 800
Alas, dear father, I perhaps shall kneel,
To ask it back again. Adrastus takes
Her kisses, water'd from his eyes, and speaks:
I cannot blame thy plaints girle; Lay aside
Thy fears: Such boones are not to be deni'd:805
Praise-worthy suits: But heav'n, and mine own fear
The weight o'th' kingdome too, (yet don't forbear
To hope) suggest much to my soul. Thy cares
Shall find their due, nor shalt thou lose thy tears.
Comfort thy husband, daughter: this delay 810
Will prove no losse: For great designes we stay.
This profits much in war. The light appears
As he spake thus, and he's call'd up by's cares.
Finis Lib. III. Statii Thebaid.
Argument. Lib. IV. Statii Thebaidos.
Bellona calls to Armes: They part with tears:
Adrastus first leads on his troups to wars:
Then follows Polynice his wronged son:
Stout Tydeus next: and then Hippomedon:
Then Capaneus: Amphiaraus sixt,
Betray'd by's wife: Parthenopaeus next;
Though's fearfull mother, would have stop'd his heat.
The Thebanes preparations were as great;
Whom Bacchus's Priest affrights: Tiresias charms
The Ghosts up: Laius then foretells their harms.
The Grecians march. Bacchus sends [...]routh to grieve 'um:
Hypsipyle shews Langia to relieve 'um.
THe winter thrice was thaw'd with gales, which blow
From the warm South; short daies do longer grow
In their a spring-quarters: When curst fate controuls
Their broken Councels; tiil They, wretched souls,
5 At last heard war proclaim'd. Bellona's hand
Shakes on b Larissa's top, a flaming brand
At first, and darts her massy spears, which glide
Whizzing i'th' ayre, and light on t'other side
On c Dirces banks. From thence she takes the field,
10 Closing with those, whose guilded armes do yield
A glitt'ring shew. Sh' inrages now the forces;
[Page 90]Armes the most forward, and claps on the horses;
Calls them toth' ports: their valour does prevent
Her call; ev'n Cowards had some valour lent.
Th' appointed time was come; whole heards do fall 15
To Iove and Mavors; but the Priest grew pale
At the unlucky entrails; yet does frame
Some shews of hope toth' Camp. And now there came
A crowd of boyes and girles, and aged Fathers
About their parting friends; this concourse gathers 20
And stops their dores up: teares no measure knew,
But sad fare-wells their shields and crests bedew.
The souldiers sigh to leave their home: they kisse
Through their close beavers: the rough helmet is
Bow'd to imbrace. He that ith' Sword delights 25
Or Death but now, breaths out his rage in sighs.
So th'Mariner for some long voyage bound,
When's sails do swel, and's anchor's weigh'd from ground,
Shakes hands with friends, who strive to cull his limbs,
Till kisses bath'd in tears their eye-sight dims; 30
So does the fog oth' Sea: Yet left behind
They climb a bank, and send their eyes to find
His sails, they grieve the wind blows faire from land,
And greeting the known keel on shore they stand.
Now forward Fame, thou worlds d first Register,35
Since to remember Nobles is thy Care,
And spin their Lives; these valiant spirits discover:
And thou Calliope which raignes [...]-over
The sounding e grove, take up thy harp, and tell
What bands, what Armes Mars rais'd; how people fell 40
From every City: None that tasts the river
Of f Helicon, can nobler strains deliver.
The King Adrastus, sad and prest with cares,
Now drawing on to his declining years,
Marches amongst the troups unwillingly,45
[Page 91]Content to girt his sword upon his thigh:
His Coat of Armour's brought byth' guard ith' ree [...]:
His Steeds were harness'd by the Charioteer
Ith' gate: g Arion does his curb disdain.
Charadrus foming through her vale: more powres
Came from l Cleone spir'd with lofty Towres.
More Kings descended from the same line, stood
Associated, which inhabit on
Where slow p Langia's silent waters glide,
Sad is this Rivers honour, whose rough surges,
The Stygian Furies bathing in them, purges:
Their snakes are wash'd here, quitting r Phlegeton:
Whether the Thracian houses overthrown
Or Cadmus family: When here they sport,
The river stain'd with poyson, flies their touch.
Corinth joynes company, abating much
Beat up the Poets spring: And those that be,
Where x Isthmos parts, and beateth back the Sea.
Adrastus thus was follow'd with a band
Three thousand strong, with shouts: Some arm their hand
With darts▪ and some with smoke-dried clubs; (they come 75
From sev'rall stocks, with sev'rall customes:) some
Knew better how to use the nimble sling,
And wheeling round, would make an empty ring.
He marches, venerable for his years,
And government. As the stout bull appears 80
In his old pastures, though his strength's decay'd,
Yet still he's Captain: all the herd's affraid
To try his push; they see his horns are broke,
And's breast is scarr'd with many a former stroke.
With banners; for whose sake the war began.
His troups whet on his courage: Hither came
His country-voluntiers; whether the shame
Of's banishment had mov'd them; or their Love
Grew with his wrongs; or they were such as strove 90
Still to depose the mighty: many a one
Joyn'd, whom the justnesse of his cause had won.
Besides Adrastus gave him for a dowre,
Lest his thin troups might prove his shame, or he 95
Of's own lost honours too resentive be.
That dresse, those very armes he wore, wherein
First i'th' black night he came: The Lions skin
Cover'd his back; steel arm'd his glitt'ring spear:
[Page 93]His hopes and wishes now the Crown possest,
With's mothers lap, and's sisters faithfull brest:
Yet looking back he sees his heartlesse c spouse
Stretch forward all her limbs, on top o'th' house.
105 She, she recalls her husbands eyes, and mind:
Sweet Thebes within his brest no place can find.
See, thund'ring Tydeus in the midst does arme
His Country troups: Soone as the first alarme
Was sounded, Courage now; his wounds are cur'd:
110(As the sleek snake by the spring-sun allur'd
Out of his bed, d shakes off his duller age
I'th' flowry pastures hissing out his rage.
Alas, poore Swaine! 'gainst whom at first he comes
Gaping, on whom he dries his venom'd gums)
115 Wars trumpet, besides these, had brought him men
Heard it, and f Ple [...]ron, where the birds bemoan
Their Meleager; with steep Calydon;
120 So Chalcis, which the Mariner does prove
A secure harbour from th' Ionick Seas:
The h river too, once foil'd by Hercules,
Scarce daring yet to raise his batter'd i brow
From underneath his waters; but below
125 He hides his mournfull head in slimy caves;
And sands choak up his panting k banks and waves.
[Page 94]Their brazen shield defends their breasts, their hands
Are arm'd with cruell javelins: l Mavors stands
In's helmet. All the chosen guard surrounds
Valiant O Enides, grac'd with former wounds; 130
All courage; nothing lesse in rage and spite
Then's brother: you would doubt, for whom they fight.
But greater m Dorick troups in armour shine,
Which plow upon n Lyncaeus banks, or thine
o Perseus his land no quicker streams delivers,
Their course; or he swels, proud of r Iove his son.
Those which Asterion incircles, joyne;
Fruitfull for Vines, but stubborn to the u Plow.
w Neleian Pylos all her forces lent,
Pylos scarce known, for Nestor had not spent
His second x age: Yet he refus'd to go 145
Toth' tents destin'd for a sad overthrow.
Hardy Hyppomedon leads these, and advances
Their love to valour: a brasse helmet dances
Upon his head, with three white crests: besides
His armes, a coat of maile defends his side:150
His breasts and shoulders a guilt shield protects,
Lively presenting Danaus his night-acts:
[Page 95]The guilty brides, inflam'd byth' Furies, slay
Their fifty husbands: whilst their Sire does stay
At th' bloudy dore, and with applauding words
155 Commends their wickednesse, and views their swords.
He's brought from y Athens, on a Nemean Steed,
Who startling, do's his clashing armour dread:
His prauncing raises clouds of dust; you'd sweare,
The field it self were flying into th'ayre.
With both his breasts bears woods down: a Ossa then
Trembles: the salvage beasts sink down for fear,
His brother Centaures quake, till he appear
In b Peneus streams; where he stops up the river.
165 What mortall tongue can all the train deliver?
Th' Artiliery, nations, strength? the valiant spirits
Of which c Tyrinthe's fruitfull, which inherits
The glory of her Hercules, are call'd
By him from thence. Though now their state's enthrall'd
170 By time, their valour can no riches yeild.
The thin inhabitants in th'empty field
Shew where the d Cyclops built their lofty towres:
Yet they send out three-hundred striplings; powres
Toth' wars e innumerable: without speare
175 Or glittering sword. Their heads and shoulders are
Clubs arme their hands, their darts are crowded in
Their unexhausted quivers; whilst they sing
Herculean Paeans, how their God and King
180 Freed all the earth from monsters: this is heard
i Nemea press'd some toth' battell, with what ayd
The sacred vine-yards of k Molorchus had:
The cottage is well known: his l divine guest 185
Has, on the willow dores, his armes express'd:
The oake, where's m club and bow was laid, is clear
In gold, and where the print's of's bed appear.
But Capaneus a foot-man, yet byth' head
O're-peering all the rest, on's shield does spread 190
The hides of foure wild bulls, besides the weight
Of brasse. There, dying Hydra would affright
Your sense, branch'd in a n triple Garland: Part
Bore living snakes engrav'd: A new found o art
Stop'd up the other: As she does expire,195
You'd think, the sparkling gold wore flames of p fire.
About her the dull streams of q Lerna glide,
With which the Iron seems to Azure dy'de.
But a most weighty breast-plate, such as was
No r Mothers work, cover'd with plates of brasse,200
Clasp'd on, defends his sides, and spreading chest:
A s Gyant dances on his glit'ring crest:
And for his spear, a Cypresse-tree was spoyl'd
Of all her boughs, which only he could weild.
Boasting t'out-sing the learned Aonides,
210 Was sodainly strooke dumbe; For many years
His voice and Harp were silenc'd. For who dares
Challenge the Gods? who knows not b Phoeb's contest
And c Celoenes same, i'th Satyres doome exprest?
215 And now the d Prophets minde was overcome,
And tir'd; although he saw his dismall doome,
Yet with a lingring hand the Fates had arm'd
Him, and the virtue of his e God was charm'd.
Nor wants a treacherous f wife; forbidden gold
Now glisters in her house. The Gods foretold,
220 This bracelet would be fatall to a Prophet
Of th' Arg [...]ves, and himself had knowledge of it:
But his perfidious spouse had rather sell
His bed at such a rate, longing t'excell
225 In such a purchas'd dresse, and beare away
Argia's spoiles: who lets it go with joy.
She saw this war and the Commanders were
Turn'd on this hinge, if the divining g Peere
Would take up armes. Thus with a cheerefull mind,
In her dear husbands bosome, she resign'd
230 Th'accursed chaine: And saies; this is no time
For gorgeous dresses: Beauty were a crime
In her, that's wretched without thee: Ile cheate
My fears, with h distaffe comforts, and entreat
[Page 98]At the Gods Altars with dishevel'd hayre:
May't be, y' Eternall Powers! when thou shalt weare 235
Thy threatning steel, and clashing armes, that I
Put on Harmonie's chaine? Some Deity
Perhaps more fitly, will indulge it, then,
And I outshine the Grecian spouses, when
(At thy return, a Queen) my votive Quires 240
Shall fill the Temples: Now let her desires
Take place, who makes her husbands wars her joy.
Thus th'execrable Gold did force a way
Toth' Prophets house, and sow'd strange mischief in it;
Tysiphone laugh'd for joy, when she had seen it.245
He mounted on Tenarian steeds, (begot
Upon inferior mares) does shake the ground:
Prophet-like, with Parnassian garlands crown'd:
His helmet is with branching olives drest,250
Where a white Miter does infold the crest.
Weapons, and reines he guides at once: his hands
Are sometimes stay'd with darts: in's chariot stands
An k arm'd wood, brandish'd: He far off appears
Phoeb's m Amycleans wait on's chariot wheele:
Avoids with terrour: so the p Carians
Chaunting to pleas'd Diana; with the bands
The turtles breed: s Tayget's troups were there;
These men i'th' moist'ned sands, inspires their vains
With rage, and naked valour: hence their spirits
265 Are quick'ned: 'tis esteem'd their greatest merits
To fall i'th' bed of honour: Parents joy
At their sons Fates, perswading them to die:
And when the round bewaile the striplings fall,
Mothers triumph at their crown'd funerall.
270 Their fingers hold the reines, and two darts, ty'd
In a slip knot; they never use to hide
Their shoulders, in a rough coat-armour drest:
w Ledaean feathers dance upon their crest.
These were not all the Prophets troups, a few
Which dwell in y Pisa's vale, and doe descry
Not tainted with the Ocean: their fields
Are furrow'd with a thousand charriot wheels:
280 Their steeds are broke toth' wars: This is the glory
O'th' Nation, by long custome: Since the story
O'th a Tyrants melting axeltree. They chew
Their froathy curbs, foame does plow'd sand bedew.
And thou, Parthe [...]opeus, yet unskill'd
285 In armes, (thy soul's so much with glory fill'd)
Lead'st on Arcadian troups, though 'twas unknown
To thy stern b Mother: She by chance was gone
To hunt in distant chases, and the bleak
[Page 100] Lycean deserts; nor might he partake
Of those rough sports; None vent'ring to the place 290
Of danger, had so sweet a beauteous face.
Nor is true courage wanting, if his age
Did lend him strength, and power to ingage.
What silvan Deity, or Nymph that's nam'd
When i'th Maenalian shades, his tender feet
Prest downe the willing grasse, Dian' did see't
They say, and pardon'd her d companion;
Fitting e Dictaean darts, and quivers on
His shoulders. He inflam'd with the bold joyes 300
Of war, leaps out, burning to hear the noise
Of armes, and trumpets; to besmeare his haire
With warlike dust; that captive steeds may bear
Him back; asham'd o'th' wood; asham'd to spie
His arrows, yet without the guilty die 305
Of humane blood. He shines before the rest
In gold and purple cloaths: his loynes are drest
In loose robes, girt with Spanish belts. He wore
In's f untry'd shield, the Calydonian boare
His Mother slew: On's left hand his bow twangs,310
On's back plated with maile, a quiver hangs,
Fill'd with Cydonean arrows, beautifi'd
With amber and with Eastern pearles beside:
He rides a lofty horse, whose swiftnesse wins
O'th' fearfull deere, trap'd with two Lynxes skins:315
Now startling at the weight of's Masters armes,
Whose blushing cheekes to all mens eyes are charmes.
You old Arcadians, borne before the g Moone
[Page 101]Or stars, troop'd under him: Fame sayes, as soone
Fetch'd from rough stocks of i trees, your progenie:
Nor bounds of fields, nor house, nor townes were yet,
Nor tyes of wedlock: Oakes and Baytrees get
Young boyes, and girles; the shady ashes breed:
325 And Elmes drop down a race of humane seed.
These wonder'd as they say to see the k light
Have changes, and to be eclips'd with night:
And gazing after Titans setting ray,
Wept, and despair'd to see another day.
Glories i'th' winged God: with these the wood
Almost thy Father-in-law great Phoeb', the same
Did they, which on Lampia's white cliffes dwell:
Borders belov'd of quiver-bearing Iove,
Whilst ye beheld, and smil'd to see his Love.
[Page 102]Came to the rendevouz; these heats allure
The mountains joyne, made known by a Hercules,
Both monster-bearing b Erymanthus, and
Arcadians all: But differ in their hue:
Some, their bow'd stocks of Paphian Myrtle shew,
And fight with shepherds crooks: One's arm'd with's bow,
T'other with's smoak-dri'd club: this guards his brow
With's helmet: Th'other keeps his Countries right 355
In his d Arcadian hat. This would affright
With the sterne visage of a yawning Beare,
Throwne o're his head; yet though these forces were
Sworne servants to the God of war, they had
From neighbouring Mycene receiv'd no aid:360
Their deadly e fea [...]t▪ and mid-daies suns affright
Was then, those brethren too began to fight.
By this time Atalanta heard, that all
Arcadia made her son their Generall
Toth' wars: Her knees shake, down her arrows sink 365
Beside her: O're the rocks, and steepest brink
Of rivers, swifter then the winged wind
Shee flies; her cloaths girt up, her hair behind
Dishevel'd, scatters with each blast. So when
A Tiger robb'd of's whelps, starts from her den,370
Pursuing th' horseman. When with down-cast eies,
And pale, he stood before her: Son (she cries)
What has begot this furious desire?
How comes thy tender brest thus set on fire?
[Page 103] 375 Canst thou train men for war? canst thou endure
The burthen of the field, and walk secure
Through push of pike? Though, would thy strength were such!
Of late I saw thee, with thy javelin, touch
An angry boare? (with feare I saw thee) when
380 Thou sunk'st upon thy knees half down; and then
Had not I ply'd my darts, where had been now
My Champion for the wars? this polish'd bow,
And arrows cannot help thee there, nor yet
This dappled steed thou trust'st to: They are great
385 Atchievements: Child, thou scarce canst pay the due
To a Nymphs bed, as yet. The Omen's true:
I wond'red why Diana's Temple shooke
Of late, and she frown'd with a down-cast look;
The off'rings fell down from the Temples roof:
390 My bow grew slack upon't, no wound gave proof
Of skill, from my dull fingers. Stop thy rage
Till thou art grown to a more setled age:
Till thy fair cheeks are shaded; and thou'st lost
Thy womans face: what thou desirest most,
395 A sword, and armes, I'le give thee then; and vow
A mothers tears shan't stop thee longer: Now
Uncase at home. Will you his march indure
Arcadians? Sprung from trees or quarries sure!
More would she: But her son, and th' Captains spread
400 About, speak comfort, and asswage her dread:
The trumpets sound: whil'st her imbraces are
Scarce stop'd, she leaves him to Adrastus care.
On t'other side Cadmus his f Martiall brood
Vext with their General's Furies, frighted stood
With no small outcry: (for they were alarm'd,
That Greece against them all her strengh had arm'd:)
And though asham'd o'th' King and's cause, prepare
Slowly their force: None had an edge toth' war;
Greedy to clasp on's back his fathers shield,
[Page 104]Or trim his warlike steed: (such joyes o'th' field 410
The Souldiers use;) dejected they appear,
Fill'd with no rage, or valour, but with fear.
One mournes for's bed-rid Parent, whom he leaves
As discontent as he: Another grieves,
To part with's tender wife, or wretched son 415
In's lap: The g quarrelling God inflamed none.
h Amphions stately towers, burying their pride
In their own ruines, shew a naked side
Worn out with age: And i base, dull workmanship
Patches that wall, which once to heav'n did skip 420
By sacred Musick. Yet war breathes his rage
O're the Boeotian Cities, who ingage
Not to protect the treach'rous Kings estate,
So much, as to assist a neighbour state.
He's like a rav'nous wolfe, that preying stood 425
O're well-fed sheep, glutted with clotter'd blood;
His bristled chops with bloody wooll besmear'd,
And yawning he returnes from's fold, affear'd
Lest th' heardsman, finding it, pursue; he stares
About, and flies from his owne guilty fears.430
Disturbing fame begets fresh cause of doubt:
One saies, the Graecian horse quarter about
Another, so's m Theumeson a third replies.
Burnt with their watchlights. Every man was bold
To say, he saw the o Tyrian statues sweate;
Dirce run blood, Sphinx in her craggy seat
Began to talke againe; new monstrous broods:
[Page 105]Another fright too startled all their bloods.
Th'inspired p Queen of Bacchus silvane traine,
440 Runs from Cytherons top, down to the plaine:
Scatt'ring her q baskets; and with sparkling eyes
Shakes here and there her branched torch. Her cries
Fill the amaz'd streets: Powrfull r Nisaean Father
Which hat'st thy native Country, and hadst rather
With headed t leavy Javelins: Or call forth
Thy spreading vines t'oretop u Lycurgus head:
Or rage through w Ganges, or the latest bed
Of blushing x Tethys; the triumphant King
But we thy off-spring, whose devotion's paid
To thee, (our z Country weapons being laid
Aside;) now wars, and tears, and frights must owne;
And Brethrens madnesse, for an unjust Crowne.
455 Let Bacchus fix me, in eternall frost,
Or beyond a Caucasus where the armed host
Of b Amazonians howle, before Ile trace
The monstrous Generalls, and their wicked race.
Yet thou compel'st — Another c rage to Thee
Push at each other, both of grace alike,
[Page] [...]oth o'th' same breed: with angry hornes they strike
[...]t one anothers fronts; and cruelly
[...]n one another in their rage they die.465
[...]ut f thou art worst; thou art most stain'd with bloud,
Who would'st alone injoy thy Grand-sires food,
[...]he grasse o'th' common field: Ill nurtur'd cattell!
[...]ow fiercely you maintain a bloudy battail!
[...]his said, she's pale, and Bacchus left her quiet.
But th' haunted King, now sinking under's fears,
And ill at ease, to ask advise o'th' years
And knowing blindnesse of h Tiresias, went:
Men doubtfull do't:) he seeks the Gods intent 475
Not by large i sacrifices, or the flight
Of birds, or entrails breathing out the right;
Nor by the m smoak which o're the Altar flies;
[...]ut tells them, how the Ghosts call'd out, appeare 480
[...]rom the deep gates of death: and do's prepare
[...]'th' royall presence, hellish sacrifice
And hidden rites; beneath that bank that lies
Where n Ismene meets the sea; torne entrailes, grasse,
Sulphur, and many charmes do cleanse the place.485
An antient wood, decay'd by age there grew,
Whose uncrop'd bough's, the Sun-beams never knew.
No winters flaws could blast it, it did fear
No Southern winds, nor storms from th' Artick o bear.
Beneath were quiet shades, which did affright 490
With horrid silence, and pale glimpse o'th' light.
[Page 107]Nor wants this grove a Deity, for there
Latona's worshipp'd; every tree do's bear
Her image; pitch-trees, cedars, oakes beside
495 With sacred darknesse did the Goddesse hide.
Her unseen arrows twang here; dogs resort
To nightly howlings, when she leaves the Court
Of her p infernall Unkle, and in place
Of what she was, puts on Diana's face.
500 But when the hills have tir'd her, and the height
O'th' Summer Sun, do's pleasant sleep invite;
Here, round about her, she her darts do's stick,
And on her quiver rests her stretch'd-out neck.
Without, extends the pregnant q Martiall field
505 Of Cadmus; he was daring bold that till'd
That ground, and furrow'd first the putrid filth,
After the r Brothers fought, i'th' bloudy tilth.
At noon-day still, and i'th' close shades of night
Th' unhappy Earth strange tumults do's excite;
510 When the black s Gyants to vaine combates rise,
The trembling plow-man from his tillage flies;
And frighted Cattell to their stalls doe get.
Here ('cause the place, for Stygian rites was fit,
And soyles made fat with streams of bloud, do please)
Th' old Prophet calls for dark-fleec'd sheep; with these
515 Black-hided herds: From every flock was sent
The fairest head: Whil'st t Dirce did lament,
At their new x silence did begin to wonder.
Then y groping with his hand, their horns he crowns
[Page 108]With flowry garlands, and i'th' noted bounds 520
O'th' wood, z large Cups of wine at first he powres
[...]'th' trenched Earth, nine times; with milke, and showres
Of honey, mixt with Ghost-alluring gore:
And fills, till the dry Earth could drinke no more.
Then the sad Priest rols trunks of trees, and bids 525
Three fires be made to Hecate, besides
As many more toth' a Sisters borne of Hell.
Thy heap of pine-trees, Pluto, did excell
I'th' ayre from under b ground: neere which there stood
Wreath'd in on every side. And now they d share
Their lofty Crownes, and place their e salt-cakes there:
Straight fall the Cattell on their f knives; whose blood
Receiv'd in chargers, virgin g Mantho stood
To offer: then thrice rounding every fire,435
(As she had learn'd from her religious Sire)
She brings their quivering Guts, and entrailes reaking,
Kindling the boughs: when flames he felt, were breaking
Out of the crackling leaves, and the sad pile
Did blaze (for's cheekes grew hot, and vapours fill 540
His hollow eyeholes:) he cries out: (His voice▪
Made the fire wave, and tremble at the noise.)
Ye infernall seats, the Court of hungry death,
Which men do fear, and thou whom Ghosts beneath
Attend, with plagues for every guilty soul,545
And dost the lower Region controul,
More h stern then thy two brothers; At my call▪
Open the gates toth' silent groves, and all
i Persephone's wast: Call out the crew, that's hid
[Page 109]I'th' hollow night: Send Charon back to guide
His full boat over Styx. Come k all together:
Trace back more paths then one. Let l Perseus sever
The just Elizian souls, and th'hated m God
615 Conduct them hither with his powerfull rod.
On to'other side, toth' guilty, (which exceed
In hell, and which are most of Cadmus breed,)
Tisiphone, shaking thrice thy snake-haires, shew
The day light, guiding them with flaming n yew:
620 And let not Cerb'rus with his heads affright
The Ghosts away, so long depriv'd of light.
This said, the Sire, and the Phoebeian maid
Prepare attentive souls; no whit affraid,
Because inspir'd; only Etheocles
625 Trembling, takes hold o'th' conjuring Prophets fleece
Sometimes, and sometimes of his hands, or eyes,
And doubtfull would break of the Sacrifice.
So th' huntsman strengthning's valour, do's expect
A Lion rous'd with noise, within the tract
630 Of the Getulian wood, and grasp'd his dart
In's sweaty palme; yet fear congeales his heart;
His trembling steps looke, where, how great he is;
His roaring's mark'd; blind Care each noise do's prize.
Tiresias now, seeing no Ghost appear'd,
635 Say's; witnesse Gods, for whom this fire's prepar'd;
And we with our o left hands, full blows did pay
To the trench'd Earth. I cannot brooke delay.
Am I your Priest chasheer'd? and will you go,
If a Thessalian hag command you so,
B'Inchantments? Or shall trembling hell looke pale,
If p Colchian witches, arm'd with poyson, shall
Provoke it? we are slighted: if you have
[Page 110]No mind to raise a body from the grave,
Or empty Urnes of their enclosed bones,
Polluting q Gods of heav'n, and hell at once:585
Or mangle bloudlesse faces, taking out
The putrid nerves of dead men: Doe not flout
My weaker years, I wish you; don't despise
The cloud that hangs upon my darkned eyes.
We can be angry too; we know, what e're 590
You dread to hear, or know: Did not I feare
Must not be t known, I could vex Hecate too.
But I forbear: my quiet age denies.
For you — Phoebeian Mantho straight replies,595
Father, you're heard: The saplesse ghosts doe come,
Elysian deeps are open'd; Earth's large wombe
Is rent; darke shades, black hell gapes; u Acheron
Casts sulph'rous sands up: smoaky u Phlegeton
Flowing between, forbids the Ghosts to mix.
I see the pale x King sitting on his throne;
About, his servant Furies wait upon
His dire commands. The dismall bed is seen,
And severe chambers of th' infernall y Queen:605
Black death sits in the watch-towre, numbring o're
The subjects of his silent Master. More
Appear, whose lots the z Cretian Judge does cast
In's a urne: exacting truth of all that's past,
Throughout their lives, too strictly; to proclaime 610
[Page 111]What plagues they ever gain'd. Why should I name
Hells monsters? Scylla's? Centaures, which in vaine
Doe rage? or th' Gyans fett'red in a chaine
Of solid adamant? or say, where stands
No, saies her Sire, my ages strength and guide,
Don't speak of that: Who does not know beside
Or e Tytius whence the Vultures peck their food?
I led by Hecate, when good bloud did swell
My veines, saw those close seats; ere I was blind,
Or had my eyes by g Iove fixt in my mind.
Rather the Greek and Thebane souls, call hither;
625 And sprinkling h milk foure times, command the other
To leave this dismall shade: then tell th' attire
And shapes th' appear in, with their hot desire
Of shedding bloud; which nation vaunts it best;
And teach my blindnesse daughter, all the rest.
630 She does obey, and uses Charms, by which
The Ghosts are scatt'red and conven'd: the Witch
Medea, 'bate her i faults, did so before;
And k Circe jugling in th' AEaean shore.
Then to her priestly Father thus she speaks,
635 First Cadmus with his ghastly visage breaks
Through the red lake; neer him Harmione keeps,
From both whose crowns, a double serpent creeps:
The Gyants, l Mars his brood, about him stand,
[Page 112]Whose age was but m one day: Each hath his hand
Upon his sword, each do's regard his armes,635
[...]pposing, rushing, plotting others harmes,
[...]ith n Live-mens rage; Nor is their drinke so good
[...]'th' o furrows, they thirst one anothers blood.
[...]he s bow still, offering her sweet babe the teat:
[...]nd pregnant wombe. Then Agave with teares
Now dispossest by th' God; she open laies 645
Her bloody breast: He flies through desert wayes
Weeps for him, and his s [...]atter'd limbs do's gather.
With's hands behind; on's shoulders he does throw 650
His dead sons corps. Nor hath z Aristeus's son
Chang'd yet his habit, or ill shape p [...]t-on:
Antlets still arme his brows, and darts his hand;
He kick's of's dogs, at's wounds which gaping stand.
Recounts her b losses in a swelling straine:
And not dejected, joyes she has outgone:
[Page 113]The c pow'r o'th' Gods; now thinks her tongue's her own.
665 While the unspotted maid sung thus t'her Sire,
His hoary haires raise up his garland higher
Standing on end: and some thin bloud do's flow
In's wither'd cheekes: on's staffe he leanes not now,
Or's daughters hand, but standing bolt upright;
670 Break off thy song, saies he; I want no light:
My clouds begin to scatter, the darke mist
Breakes from mine eyes. Supream Apollo, is't
Thy spirit fils me? What I heard, I see.
But marke [...] the Graecian shadows pensive be,
Besmear'd with bloody sand: Their large tears do
Bedew their cheekes: Hence I conceive, successe
80 Will crown the Thebanes. But, what meanes this prease
Of fighting i souls (as armes and wounds discover)
Shewing their heads and breasts all blouded over,
And hands lift up, with seeming cries? If I
Mistake not they're those fifty: D'ont you spie
Grac'd with our baies? Be not enraged so
Brave Captaines. Thinke not mortall counsailes durst
Conspire your deaths: Th' hard-hearted l sisters first
Had spun your years: You have o're-past your paine;
690 We must feele war, and Tydeus once againe.
This said, he drives away the Ghosts that stood
With m Chaplets crown'd, and shews them offer'd blood.
Brought back to hell by n Hermes: he squints on
His wicked grand-son (For he knew his looke;)
No draughts of blood, or other showres he o tooke,695
As th'other Ghosts; but breathes immortall hate.
Tiresias straight leaps out. Thou, whom the State
Of Thebes call'd their deserving Generall,
Since whose death, no good day did e're befall
Is full reveng'd in q those which follow'd after,
And Ghost appeas'd; Oh, whither do'st thou flye?
r He whom thou hat'st, a lingring death doth dye:
And knocks now at hels thresholds; dawbing o're
His empty eye-holes, with black filth, and gore:705
Depriv'd of day: beleev't, no death's so vile.
Why then do'st shun thy harmlesse Nephew? Smile
On us: let this blood-offering suffice:
And set this war's event before our eyes,
Thy u deny'd passage over Lethes flood,
In the desired w boat; and holy dust
Shall cover thy pleas'd ashes; which Ile trust
Toth' care of Stygian Gods. These dignities
Appease the Ghost, who moistning's x cheekes, replies:715
Why, coaetanean y Priest, am I, by thee
Raising the Ghosts, call'd to this Augury?
And chosen first, to speake of chance to come?
When thoughts of what's past, are too burdensome.
Brave Nephews! (Fie for shame) must our advice 720
[Page]Be ask'd? Bring to your hellish sacrifice
z Him, him, whose falchion made his Father bleed,
And to the womb that bare him, rais'd up seed.
Who now the Gods, and the black Furies crew
But if I needs must sing such times as these,
Ile speake. War, war, vast troopes on all sides finds:
And fatall Mars spurs on the Graecian minds.
Brave deaths, to which, no Fun'rals may be giv'n▪
Byth' e Law: the vict'ry, Thebes, will be thine owne;
Fear not; thy brother shan't enjoy thy Crowne.
But yet the Furies and that f double sin,
735 Back't with thy g Fathers curse, (woes me!) shall win,
Mid'st the sharp swords; This said, he disappears,
And's doubtfull riddles left them full of fears.
Meane, time cold h Nemea, and the thickets where
Hercules's fame resounds, the quarters were
740 Oth' Graecian regiments; who are greedy now
To get i Sidonian pillage; thinking how
To rifle batter'd houses. Phoebus tell,
Who turn'd their rage, how stop'd, what crosse befell
Them in their journey. The reports of Fame
Gives little light at first. Tir'd Bacchus came
And now he drives his vine-spread Chariot, to
On either hand, and q Tygres lick the fome
[...]rom reines long steep'd in wine. Behind do come
Triumphing Priests, with spoiles of cattell slaine,
Halfe slaughter'd wolves, torne beares: Nor was this train
And fiery r Heat still in extreames, was there;
But when he saw, a cloud of dust did hide
Trac'd Nemea; and the sun-beames glistred bright
Upon their steele, Thebes unprepar'd to fight:
Mov'd at the sight (though pin'd in face and breast)760
The drums and trumpets, and still pipes he ceast,
Whose divers tunes fill'd his astonish'd ears;
Then thus he spake: This Army here prepares:
My ruine, and my Nations: Cruell Greece, 765
(Thus rag'd he) and my t stepdame plotted this.
Could not my Mothers unjust u flames suffice?
Could not the fires, which at my w birth did rise?
And lightnings, which I felt my self? But must
Curst shee, strike at the reliques too, and dust 770
Of Ioves lost Concubine? shall she destroy
What's left of Thebes? Ile cheat them, to delay:
Holla, Companions, haste to yonder plaines.
At's word, the harness'd x Tygres raise their manes,
[Page] 775 And hurry straight toth' field. It was the time,
When the faint day perceiv'd the Sun to climbe
Toth' height of heav'n; whilst little moysture fill'd
Earth's chinkes, and every grove the skie beheld.
He cals the water-Nymphs, and thus begins
780 Mid'st of their silent round: Ye rurall Queens,
The Rivers Deities, chief parts of my traine,
Performe the taske we set: A while restraine
The Graecian streames, and founts, and pooles; and stop
With looser sands, their winding channels, up:
785 First Nemea's, whence they 'dvance against our towers:
Let water flie toth' bottome: all the powers
O'th' Sun help on, (if you be willing) now
In's height: the stars besides assist my vow:
Erigones y dog foames still: Go on with mirth,
790 Creepe cheerfully i'th' caverns of the earth:
Hereafter to full streames I will invite you,
And with choice offer'd presents will requite you:
Bold hornefoot Satyres night-thefts Ile forbid,
And z Faunes hot rapes: This said, a thin foame did
795 Seeme presently to overspread his mouth:
And his green garlands moistures parch'd with drouth.
Straight, a dry thirst draines the a Inachian land,
Streames ebbe, on founts and lakes a scum does stand:
Deep rivers now were pav'd with hardned mud,
Earth pin'd; the corne-eares hanging downeward, stood
800 On wither'd stalkes: The cattell cheated, roare
On bankes of rivers, where they swum before.
So when b Nile flowes back to his mighty den,
And's c winters food within his springs does pen,
[...]xpects to hear the watry Fathers d sound;
[...]ill at their prayer, he feeds the Pharian plaine,
[...]nd crownes that year with a rich crop againe.
[...]hich casts up floating stones: and Erasine,
[...]hat rests not in his channell; hither joyne
[...]moother Asterion: th' others us'd to creepe
[...]hrough deserts, and disturbe the shepheards sheepe.
[...] th' Gods appointment, in her secret caves.
Archimore's losse, had not yet made her owne
[...]is h name, nor was the fame o'th' Goddesse knowne:
[...]et gliding through the wood in by-waies, she
[...]eserves her streames: Great shall her glory be,820
Now, (tortur'd thus with heat) they could not bear
[...]heir burning shields, nor their strait brest-plates wear.
[...]or were their mouths, or throats alone inflam'd,825
[...]ut inward heat their panting hearts had tam'd.
[...] shrivel'd veines, no troubled blood did run,
[...]ut clots to their dry ribs: Earth parch'd by th' Sun
[...]reaths out hot clouds of dust; no showres of some
[...]rop from the horses mouths, which champ upon 830
[...]ry bits, and thrust their curb'd tongues out, obeying
[...]or law, nor riders; but inflam'd, run neying
[...]bout the field. The King sends scouts to spie
[Page 119]Abroad, if all the Graecian pooles were drie;
If m Ainimone had moisture: But, in vaine;
835 Heat drunke up all, nor was there hopes of raine.
Like sun-burnt Africks sandy desarts, and
Unclouded n Siene, so appears the land.
Wandring at last (as Bacchus had design'd)
Among the Woods, Hypsipyle they find
840 O'th' sodaine, sad, yet beauteous: In her face
Shin'd Majesty, though none of her owne race,
But young o Opheltes hung upon her brest,
Lycurg's unhappy son; she poorely drest,
With haire neglected, shew'd a grace beyond
845 The power of grief. Adrastus then, aston'd,
Spake thus: Great Sylvan Goddesse, (for thy brow
Denies thy mortall stock, who pleasant now
Under heav'ns fire, seek'st for no waters) aid
A neighb'ring people: Whether once a maid
850 Of Dian's traine, she bad thee turne a bride;
Or from the skie, some heav'nly Love did slide
To make thee fruitfull: (for to Graecian beds
The King of heav'n's no x stranger:) See the heads
Of fainting troops. We thought by th' sword to raze
855 Proud Thebes toth' ground; but our weake fate gives place
To tedious thirst now, which infeebles all
Our spirits, and tir'd bodies do inthrall.
Helpe our weake state; if troubled streame thou know,
Or muddy poole: There's nothing is too low
860 For our condition: Thou art sued to, y for
The windes and raine: Our scatter'd strength restore;
Raise our disheartned brests with valour; so
May thy sweet babe, with prosp'rous fortune grow.
Iove grant a safe returne; how great a prey
[Page 120]Shall be thy off'ring then? I will repay 865
Whole Thebane herds; as many z gifts as men:
This a grove shall shine with thy great Altar then.
This said, heat does his speech i'th' midst controul,
And his dry tongue cannot expresse his soul:
So gap'd they all for breath, and look'd agast.870
The b Lemnian answers with eyes doweward cast;
Although from c heav'n my pedegree's deriv'd,
How seeme I so to you? Would I had griev'd
No more then mortals. Here, rob'd of mine d own,
You see me tend a Nurse-child: 'Tis unknown 875
Who dandles mine, or suckles them. Yet I
Had once a Crowne, and royall Sire. But why
Discourse I this to you? And stop you thus
Tir'd, from your wisht-for waters? Follow us;
Come on: perhaps Langia still can shew 880
Continued streames i'th' foord: Shee's us'd to flow,
When the hot- e Crab does entertaine the sun,
And th' dog-star shines. With that, she layeth downe
Her clinging babe on the next turfe of grasse,
(So the Fates pleas'd) lest he might stop her pace,885
As she led on the Greekes: And heaping flowers
Under's unwilling head, she stops his showers
Of tears, with her sweet Lullabies. Ev'n so
Did f Cybele, when she bad her Curates go,
Their Cymbals; Ide does Eccho with the shrike.
But the young child laid in the lofty grasse,
On earths green lap, groveling upon his face,
[Page]Sometimes beates downe the willing spires, and then
895 Growne hungry, cries for's teat, and laughs agen;
Or pratling words which quarrell with his lips,
Admires the whistling noise o'th' woods; or clips
Whats next his reach, or gapes for aire: Thus free
From unknowne harmes, securely wandreth he.
The i winged God on Maenalus did so:
So young untir'd Apollo did before
Tread on k Ortygia, creeping by the shoare.
They breake through shrubs and shady by-wayes: som [...]
905 Inclose their guide; the rest behind her come,
And crowd her on: Shee treads the middle ground,
With no small speed. And now the Vale does sound
With the neer streame, which with a warbling noise
Does fill their eares: There, in the Van, with joyes
910 The standard-bearer cries; Harke, waters roare;
The Army Eccho's, Waters: So, byth' shoare
O'th' l Graecian Sea, the boate-swaine shouting stand
Byth' oares, when th' Master has discover'd land:
And th'Earth against them ecchoes to their cry,
All rush into the foord at once: the first
And last could make no difference; equall thirst
Could not distingiush any. Steeds do enter
Harnest i'th' Chariots; loaden horses venter
920 With men and Armes: The whirlepooles swallow some,
Stones trip up others: No respect; or roome
Is made for Kings o'rethrowne: No help to save
A crying friend: The foaming waters have
No rest far from the fount. Ev'n now the flood
[Page 122] [...]as pure, and cleare toth' bottom; now the mud
[...]tirr'd up defiles it: Then they breake the banke;
[...]read down the grasse: Their thirst though quench'd, they dranke
[...]his puddle water still. You'd thinke they are
[...]ighting a battell; thinke, that open war 925
[...]aged now i'th' channell, or some City were
[...]aken and sack'd by the proud Conquerer.
And one o'th' Captaines in the mid'st o'th' flood
Begins thus: Nemea, thou most springing wood,
As Herc'les found thee, when he brake in two
The o monsters crested neck, and prest his tough
[...]roud soul in his swolne limbs: Be it enough,
That hitherto malitious windes did blow
Upon thy peoples enterprise. And oh 935
Thou p horned spring, of this eternall river,
[...]ntam'd by th' Sun, flow joyfull, swelling ever;
[...]rom whatsoever house thy cold head flows:
[...]or neither hoary winter lends thee q snows;
Nor th' r Bow powres streames, stol'n from another spring;
Nor watry Plyads, clouds to feed thee, bring:
Thou run'st, thine owne, unconquer'd by the stars.
Compare with thee, nor threatning u Sperchius, nor
[...]le celebrate thy praise at sacred Feasts.
Next Iove's thy honour. Welcome but thy guests
From war with joy; open kind streames againe
T'our weary limbs: Owne thy defended traine.950
Argument. Lib. V. Statii Thebaidos.
After their thirst was quench'd, Hypsip'les story
Is ask'd by King Adrastus; She, though sorry,
Replies: I'me borne a Lemnian, Thoas's daughter;
Where Venus, by Polixo's mouth, breath'd slaughter
To all our males; and all, but Thoas, feel
Our swords: Him, Bacchus guides: The Argo keel
Touch here, in a storme; Their landing's stop'd, before
We knew them; then receiv'd: Two sons I bore
To Jason: They depart: I'me banish'd. Here
A serpent kill'd Opheltes: Cap'neus's spear
Dispatch'd him: She laments: Lycurgus tried
Her death; they guard her: Th'infant's deified.
THeir thirst now quenc'd i'th' river, roil'd with mud,
The bankes were broke, whilst they dranke downe the floud:
The mettall'd horse prance fiercer, in the plaine;
The foot do shout; mens soules reviv'd again:
5 So did their rage, and wishes; as if fire
Mixt with the streame, had kindled their desire
To bloody war. In ranke and file they're plac'd,
And order'd strictly; as they were listed last
Under their leaders, they are bid advance.
10 And now the first dust rais'd; the sun-beames glance
Through the thick woods, upon their Armes. So when
[Page 124]When winters over, where warme AEgypt had
Defended them; they crost the maine, and c shade
Both Sea and Land: The untract aire does hear 15
Their gagling flight: Now Northern d stormes they bear;
Swim in thaw'd streames, on bleake e Haeme summering.
Adrastus here, incircled with a ring
Of Nobles, under an old ash did stand▪
Resting on Polynices Spear, his hand,20
And spake thus: Thou, who hast the glory, that
So many troops to thee do owe their fate,
(An honour worthy of heav'ns Soveraign King)
Tell us (since we stand quickned by thy spring)
Thy stock, or land: derived from what star?25
Thy Father: yet some God-head can't be far.
Though fortune's fled, thy blood does Nobler flow,
And Majesty shines in thy afflicted brow.
The Lemnian sighes, and shedding modest tears,
Shee answers: Gen'rall, you renew my cares,30
And rub my wounds, to speak o'th' Furies, and
f Lemnos, and Geniall beds, with weapons stain'd;
And all our Males slaine with accursed steel:
The horrid fact strikes terrour: now I feel▪
Cold Furies at my heart. Oh Caitiffs, thus
Inrag'd! oh night! oh Sire! 'Twas I, (ne're g blush 35
For your kind guide:) 'Twas h I alone that freed
My rescued Father. But these evils need
No such long Preface: And your armes controle,
With the great resolutions of your soule:40
This may suffice: I Thoas's daughter, call'd
This does possesse their soules: and now she shines
More glorious, and seemes fit for such k designes:
45 Then, all would know her chance: Adrastus first
Exhorts her thus: Come on, report the worst
Of their base enterprise; thy praise; their grief;
How there depos'd, thou sought'st here for relief;
(Our Van does march before: for in the wood
50 O'regrowne with shrubs and briars, 'tis not good
To passe in a full body:) 'Tis some rest
In misery, to have our griefs exprest.
Th' l AEgaean waves (saies shee) beat on the shoare
Of sea-girt Lemnos; Vulcan tir'd before
Is cloth'd with n Atho's shade, which nigh does stand:
Darkning the sea with's woods. The Thracians trace
The other side: That o fatall shoare of Thrace,
Our plague! The Isle was rich in valiant spirits;
More buds of Fame; Not all the coasts, are wash'd
By foaming AEgeus. But the Gods have dash'd
Our peace: Nor want we guilt: No fires did shine
On q Venus Altars, nor had she a shrine.
65 Thus grief, long since, her heav'nly mind controls,
And slow-pac'd punishment creeps on our souls.
Carelesse of face or haire; they say she broke
Her coupling s girdle, banishing her payre
They saw the Goddesse, i'th' darke shades of night
Weare other flames, and with new darts affright.
'Mongst Furies, she into their chambers breakes,
Filling their closest roomes with twining snakes:
And terrifies all houses; without pity 75
To her poor u faithfull husbands wretched City.
Forthwith all tender Love from Lemnos fled;
Hymen's displac'd, his Torches w trail'd, the bed,
The Geniall bed grew cold: No joyes at night;
No soft imbraces cherish'd sleep: But spite,80
Rage, hatred, discord fils the sheets. Our men
Are plotting, how to rout proud Thracians, in
Th'opposite Coast, and how to triumph over
That war-like people: and when they discover
Their house or babes, stand on the adverse shoares,85
Or after battaile, in the silent night,
Loud torrents breaking from the hills, delight.
The woman sad, drench'd night and day in tears,
(My virgin years were not then ripe for cares:)90
Mix'd comfortable words, or gaz'd upon
Curs'd Thrace on t'other side. The mid-day Sun
Poiz'd then his horses in the height of heav'n,
As though they'd stop'd: z Four thundercracks were giv'n
Open'd its flaming top: Th' AEgaean, when
The windes were quiet, did worke high, and roare,
And with proud swelling waves did beat the shoare.
When sodainly a Polixo, ripe of age,
100 Carried by th' Furies in a horrid rage
Unusually, flies from her cell abroad;
Like Thebane Thyas, toss'd by th' b frantick God;
115 Thus, with ghast looks, chill'd blood, and roaving eyes,
She frights the e naked City, with mad cries;
And gathers an assembly; knocking at
Barr'd portals; with her sons, the f wretches, that
Attended her: They all, inrag'd no lesse,
120 Breake out, and to Minerva's Temples presse.
Thither we crowd with speed, without respect
To order. Straight, this guide t'our bloody fact,
With a drawn sword, bids silence; then breakes out
I'th' midst, to this discourse: I am about
125 A brave exploit, which heav'n and grief ordaines:
Strengthen your souls, ye widowed Lemnians,
Forget your sex. If you are griev'd to keep
Your naked wals eternally, and weep
For wither'd youth, and barren years spun out
130 With lasting tears; I've found a way (no doubt,
The Gods propos'd it) to renew your g pleasure;
Let but your sorrows your brave courage measure.
For tell mee; since three winters hoard the ground,
Who, wedlock bands, or sweets of Love has found?
[...]ucina eas'd? whose hopes were swell'd to passe
[...]he reckoned moneths? Such peace, as beasts and birds
Coupling injoy? Dull souls I shall vengefull swords
[...]hilst he, joy'd with their husbands mischief stands,130
[...]hose secure sleepe is bath'd in their own blood?
[...]ut we're tame fooles [...]yet, if you thinke it good
[...]o act by neerer presidents; behold,
[...]hose hands reveng'd her bed, and feasted on 135
Her husband. Neither are you call'd upon
[...]y one that's spotlesse. See, my family
[...]s full, I've travaild oft: These four which lie
Within my lap, their Fathers pride and joy,
[...]le slay at once, though tears and kisses stay 140
My rage: Ile mix the brothers gore and slaughter;
And whilst they're gasping, send their father after.
Dares any kill so many? — More she said;
When on the Maine before them, sailes were spread.
[...]oy'd, takes th'advantage: — Are we wanting, when
The Gods call on us? see their navy; heav'n,
Revenging heav'n these to our wrath has giv'n;
And favours our designe. Nor are my dreames
[...]aine: with a naked weapon Venus seemes 150
Presented in my sleep; and cries; why loose ye
Time thus? cast off these husbands that abuse ye.
[...]le light new fires: you shall be better wed:
With that, she laies this sword upon my bed;
This very sword, beleev't. Take counsell then 155
[Page 129] 185 Poor wretches, whilst ye may: Behold our men
Belabour yonder Sea, untill it foame;
Perhaps they bring their l Thracian spouses home.
This rais'd their jealous envy, with a shout
Which strook the stars. An m Amazonian rout
190 You'd thinke did rage in Scythia, or a troope
With n half-moone, Targets roar'd; when Mars does ope
The gates of o war, and cals to fight. Nor yet
Did severall cries, or differing humours whet
Their mindes, as th'rabble use. All rage alike,
195 All would lay houses desolate, and strike
At old and young: babes from full teats are pull'd,
And through all ages, shall their swords be dull'd.
A grove then greene shaded the ground before
Minerva's p spires: darke of it selfe: but more,
200 A hill o'rehung it: these two shades benighted
The Sun: within this place their faith was plighted.
Martiall q Enyo thou wast witnesse: So
(Hell opening) came s unask'd. But every where
A brandish'd sword: She does inflame their strife.
Nor us'd they common blood: Carops'es wife
Offers her son: the others, straight addrest,
With swords and hands teare his amazed brest:
210 And dipt in's u blood they swear their sweet sins over:
Whilst the young Ghost about her eyes does hover.
At sight of this what horrour seis'd my brest▪
How pale I look'd! So when a Doe's distrest
[Page 130]By bloody wolves, her tender soul commands 185
No strength, but in her speed her comfort stands:
Doubtfull she flies, and every step they straine
Shee thinkes shee's caught, and hears their snaps in vaine.
The fleet arriv'd, and strooke upon the sand
I'th' hav'ns mouth; they headlong leap to land.190
Poor wretches! whom the rage of Thracian war,
And th'Oceans boistrous waves thus w long did spare.
And now the temples smoake: vow'd Sacrifices
Are thither drawn: but a x darke flame arises
From every Altar: y Nor doe th'entrailes reake 195
Intirely, but an angry God they speake.
Iove brought downe night more slow, and I conceive
Out of his mercy, whilst the Fates gave leave,
He stop'd the moving heav'ns: Nor ever yet
Darkenesse forbore so long, when Sun was set.200
At last the stars arose and shed their light
Onely hung heavily o're Lemnos: here
Darke clouds which mantled the black sky, appear.
Lemnos alone, toth' wandring sea-mans eye 205
Is undiscern'd. Now leaving house, they lye
Spread through their sacred groves: and warme their souls
With costly banquets; where their deepest bouls
Are cleans'd, with draughts as large. Where they relate
Nay their lewd wives, in gorgeous dresse were set
[Page]Among their revels too, and garlands: When
Venus, i'th' last night, mollifies the d men,
115 After long discontents, and grants them rest
For a short e time, in vaine: kindling their breast
With dying flames. Now, silent grew the round,
And made an end of revelling: the sound
Of nights first whispers ceas'd: When sleep beset
120 With shades of's cousin-german Death, and wet
With Stygian dew, imbrac'd the dying towne,
And pour'd from's f angry horne, dull slumber downe,
Seizing o'th' males: Wives, Mothers, Sisters watch
Whetting their steele with joy, and lie at catch
125 For mischief; then attempt a deed so foul:
A proper Fury raignes in every soul.
g Hir [...]anian tygers so the herds inclose,
In Scythian plaines, whom morning hunger does
Rouse up, and th'ravenous whelps roare for their paps.
130 Mongst all the shapes of murther, whose mishaps
Shall I report? Rash Gorge sets upon
h Crownd Helim, snorting out his liquor, on
His tapestry coverings: Shee, his garments tears,
To feele for's wounds; whose wretched sleep forbears
135 At death's approach: He, with a roving cast
Of's heavy eyes imbrac'd her: Shee with haste
Stab'd him i'th' back, who grasp'd her still, and prest,
Untill the point o'th' ponyard raz'd her brest.
This stops her rage: He, gentle still and kind,
140 Looks up, with trembling eyes and voice, to find
His Gorge, * culling her unworthy neck.
Of none o'th' common peoples death, Ile speak,
[Page] [...]hough cruell too; but weepe my kinsmens Fate.
[...]aire Cidon why should I thy death relate?
[...]r thine, unshav'd Crenaeus, with thy locks 245
[...]catter'd? my foster-brothers, both whose stocks
[...]prung from my Father, in a i crooked line.
Or, whom espous'd I k feard, brave Gyas, thine?
[...] saw him fall byth' bloody Mermidon.
[...]r, how the barb'rous mother slew her son 250
[...]popeus, as amongst their Crownes he skips?
[...]'re Cydimus, unarm'd Lycaste weeps,
Her brother-twin: viewing her image in
His falling limbs: She markes his rosie chin,
And gold-imbraided haire: But her fierce Mother,255
With threats inforc'd her then upon her brother,
Having first slaine her spouse,) and armes her hand.
As Lions brought toth' Keepers soft command,
Forget their fiercenesse: no affront or stroke
Can their tame souls to wonted rage provoke:260
So she fell downe upon him; falne, she keeps
His blood, which stream'd into her lap: and dips
Her torne haire in his wounds. But when I saw
Alcimides, her fathers head display,
My haire straight stood on end: My soul did feele
Strange horrour. 'Twas, me thought, my Thoas dead;
That hand seem'd mine. Straight to my Fathers bed
Distraught I went. He (for what sleep can seise
On so great thoughts?) long since in's bosome weighes 270
What rustling 'twas? (Though's palace stood not nigh
The City:) in the dead of night what cry
Had frighted rest? I with a trembling tongue
[Page 133]How none could stop their rage; Then cry'd; away,
275 Wretch'd Sir, they're here; They'le intercept your stay;
o We both perhaps shall rue it: Mov'd with this
He rises from his bed. Our passage is
Through the back-lanes of th' City where we spie
Muffled in clouds, heaps of night slaughters lie,
280 Who fell, that bloody Vesper in the grove:
Here groveling faces with their pillows strove;
The rapiers hilt out o'th' clos'd wound appears,
And broken truncheons of their weighty spears:
Swords pinck'd their cloaths and breasts alike; we view'd
285 Goblets o'rthrowne, with's slaughter Feasts imbru'd.
Their wine, like torrents, from their mangled throats,
Mingled with blood stream'd back into their pots.
Young men lay mixt with old; whose hoary head
The sword would rev'rence: Gasping infants spred
290 Upon their groaning sires, i'th' dawne of life
Sob out their trembling souls: With equall strife
The feasting p Lapithans doe riot, in
Cold Ossa's top, when with large cups of wine
The q cloud-borne sons are warm'd. Scarce angry growne
295 They rise and fight, their tables overthrowne.
Then r Bacchus first affrights our sense, i'th' night,
Aiding's distrest son Thoas: glorious light
Breakes from him sodainly. I knew him well:
And yet no s garlands made his temples swell,
No yellow grapes did part his haire: He seem'd
300 Clouded, from's eyes t unworthy showres stream'd:
And spake: Whilst Fate made powerfull Lemnos thine,
And fear'd of other Nations, I did joyne
[Page]My care with thy just labour, Son; but now 305
[...]he Destinies have cut their thred in two;
No prayers or tears▪ which I have powr'd in vaine
[...]efore Ioves throne, could a reprieve obtaine:
[...]his dismall honour to his 899 daughter's paid,
[...]asten your flight; and thou deserving maid,310
[...]y grand-child, guide thy Father where the shoare
[...]uns out, byth' double peere. There, where they roare
Girt with a sword, and whets their rage: (What hands
[...]ommit to th' y Deep thy Father: Ile inherit
[...]hy cares. This said, he springs i'th' aire againe;
[...]nd though darke shades obstruct our sight, a traine
Of light cleeres up his path. Those markes I follow,
[...]nd recommend my Sire clos'd in a hollow 320
[...]mbracing round the Cyclads. Tears did flow
[...]t parting, without measure: Till the day-
Discovering star, had chas'd the rest away
[...]rom th'Easterne heav'n. Then I strange doubts did roul,325
[...]earfulll, i'th' shoare; whilst my divided soul
[...] left my heart there: Nor could I dispence
[...]ith rest, till I had view'd from every hill,
[...]hat winds arose, or if the seas were still.330
The blushing morne breakes, Titan sheds a ray
[...]ismantling heav' [...], yet crosse to Lemnos: Day
[...]oes guide her b frighted steeds into a cloud.
[...]hen were their works of darknesse seen; their blood
[...]nted their cheeks, fearing the light should peepe,335
[...]hough all were guilty: Straight they buried deep
[Page 135]Their slaughter'd corps, or with nimble fires
Consum'd them. Glutted Venus now retire [...]
With all her Furies, from the Towne sh'ad sack'd:
340 And then their leisure serv'd to recollect
Their deeds: to tear their haire; and dew their face.
Our fruitfull Isle was knowne by th' site, a place
Once stor'd with wealth, Armes, Men; inrich'd of late
By th' c Getick triumph: Now's an empty state,
345 Torne from the world, not byth' Seas breach, nor by
The enemies force, or an unluckie skie,
There's none alive to plough the ground, there's none
To cut the Seas: Houses are silent growne:
Blood covers all: black gore the fields does staine:
350 We, onely d wee, i'th' spacious streets remaine;
And th' angry Ghosts hover about the spires.
I too, did build 908 a pile for lofty fires
I'th' inner Court o'th' Palace, throwing on't
My Fathers Armes, and robes our Kings were wont
355 To wear, and's Scepter: Then I sadly stood
Nigh the amaz'd flames: my sword was staind with blood:
Where I wept ore the cheat o'th' empty pile,
Fearing their f rage; and prayd, that by this wile
My Fathers Fate, and doubtfull fears of death
360 Might vanish. For these g merits, they bequeath
This punishment, his Kingdome; I must sit
I'th' royall Throne: Such faith, my craft did get.
Could I refuse then, thus beset? I went:
But call the Gods to witnesse my intent,
My faith, and my unspotted hands. I gain'd
365 A bloodlesse Empire: ('twas a dire command:)
Poor, sad, h beheaded Lemnos. Sorrow tore
Their waking souls, by this time, more and more:
And now they hate the thought of what they'd done:
Altars toth' Ghosts they straight decree to reare,
And by their buried ashes often i sweare.
So when the trembling heifers see with fear,
A Mauritanian k foe their Captaine teare,
Which l serv'd them all, and did command the Chase,
The pride o'th' herd: They having lost their grace,
Dismembred droop; because their King is slaine,
The fields, and springs, and the mute drove complaine.
Cutting the waves, through th' n untrack'd Seas does passe
With spreading sailes: which th' o Argonauts do guide:
The clashing waves do foame on every side:
You'd thinke. p Ortygia's bottome crack'd, and th' hill
Tumbled i'th' Sea: But, when the Ocean's still▪ 385
And th' oares laid by, a sweeter voice salutes
Our ears fro'th' keele, then dying Swans, or lutes
Touch'd by Phoeb's hand: waves danc'd to th' ship: (At last
Twas known:) there q Orpheus leaning to the mast
Sings, in the midst o'th' mariners, to cleer 390
Their souls from sense of r pains: Their course they steer
Toth' 921 Northerne coast, and borders straightned by
t Cyanean flats. We judging them by th' eye.
A Thracian power from house to house do roule
In troops, like droves, or shoales of winged fowle.395
[Page 137] 400 Where are the Furies now! we climbe toth' peere,
And wals o'th' harbour, whence our prospect's cleere
To th' Maine; and scale our lofty turrets; whither
They trembling carry stones, and clubs, together
With their late husbands Armes, and weapons dy'd
405 With slaughter: Neither are they sham'd, to hide
Their wanton cheekes in helmets, and put on
Rough breast-plates. Pallas blush'd to thinke upon
Now their rash madnesse first forsaketh them,
410 Nor seemes it now a ship, but that the Gods
By sea sent slow-pac'd vengeance, arm'd with rods.
And now they ride a flight-shot from the shoare:
When Iove brings clouds, swolne-big with tempests, o're
The tackling of the Graecian ship: anon
415 The Sea wrought high; The day had lost the Sun,
Mantled with darkenesse: Th' water's black as th' Aire:
Whilst labo'ring winds the hollow clouds do teare;
And roule the Seas up: Moist'ned gravell heaves
Out o'th' black whirle-pooles: all the Oceans waves
420 Hang on the wings o'th' wind; and ready now
To wash the stars, the billowes breake in two.
The tottering Keele, lesse nimble's, leakie growne;
And w Triton plac'd i'th' stem, dives sometimes downe
To th' bottom of the gulfe, then strikes the skies.
425 Nor can the strength o'th' x Demy-gods suffice.
The reeling mast does lash the streame; and teare
The curling waves, whose unfixt weight they bear.
The oares are tug'd in vaine: yet whilst they find
Such labour to encounter Seas and wind;
430 We from the rocks and bulwarkes of the wall
With feeble armes let flye our darts, which gall
And z Hericules is aim'd at with a bow.
Indangered thus by Seas, and darts, together,
Some guard the ship, some ply the pumpe: and other 430
Prepare to fight; whose joynts unwe [...]ldy faile
With a motion, nor can tott'ring strength prevaile.
We ply our weapons still; our shoures of darts
Equall the clouds: huge stakes, and broken parts
Of mil-stones, spears, granadoes, streaming bright,435
Sometimes i'th' Sea, sometimes i'th' ship do light.
The cover'd vessel gapes, and the close deck
Opening the seames does give a mighty crack.
So Iove does batter fields with Northern haile:
All sorts of cattell droop; drench'd wings do faile 440
The birds; Cone's lodg'd byth' bitter storme; there fell
Streames roaring from the hils, and rivers swell.
But when his darted fires the clouds did teare,
And the brave Mariners byth' light appear;
Our courage shrunke; our husbands Armes fell down 445
From trembling hands, and now our b Sex we owne.
We see the sons of c AEacus, withall
d Ansaeus, threatning ruine to our wall:
And e Iphitus with a long spear does stop
Th' astonish'd troop byth' head; and g stradling keep
The full barke poiz'd; yet would step downe i'th' deep.
But h fickle Iason, whom I knew not yet,
Throughout the gall'ries, oares, and crowde, does whet
Lardourd with froth: With hand and voice aloud
He cals on Calais, hid in's l Fathers cloud,
Striving to fasten sailes toth' mast. The Seas,
460 And wals, are shaken with their batteries.
Yet can they not beat back the foaming Maine,
And from our Towers their spears recoyle in vaine.
m Tiphys tries all the billows, tyring out
Th' n unruly sterne, then's pale and tackes about:
465 Winding the head, which faine would split upon
The rocks, to th' right, and left. Till o AEsons son
I'th' foredeck, holds up a Palladian bough
Of Olive, which before crown'd p Mopsus's brow,
And asks a truce, against his partners mind:
470 But's words are overwhelm'd by th' boystrous wind.
This stop'd our Armes: and now some rest was giv'n
Toth' breath-lesse winds, & day look'd down from heav'n.
Fifty leapt down o'th' sodaine, on our shoare;
(The ships being fastned, as they us'd before:)
475 The glory of brave Ancestours; their brow
Serene; of an attractive feature; now
Their fear and rage had left them. So they say
The Deities brake out, a secret way,
When entring house, or coast, they thinke it good
Rivers and hils make roome; their foot-steps grace
The earth, whilst r Atlas finds a breathing space.
Their temples: and Admetus, once more great
Which tir'd our doubtfull eyes; for both did wear 490
Flame-colour'd cloaks, both shooke their spears, and both
Had naked cheeks, their shoulders both uncloath;
b Stars paint their locks alike. The way does c shine.
Young d Hylas, following after, does decline
Great Herc'les's steps; for though his weight did make him 495
March softly, yet his page could scarce o'retake him;
But carrying his e Lernaean armes, the boy
Under his mighty quiver sweats with joy.
Now Venus once againe with Loves coole flames
Kindles the churlish hearts o'th' Lemnian dames.500
Queen Iuno then insinuates in their mind
The Armes, and garbe o'th' men; their gallant kind:
All doores straight open'd to them. Then they heat
Their f Altars first and hainous cares forget:
They banquet, sleepe secure, had quiet nights; 505
Nay (heav'n design'd it sure,) their guilt delights.
Perhaps you long too Gentlemen, to hear
My g crime-excusing Fate: The Ghosts do bear
Me record, and my country- Furies, how
[Page 141] 510 Unwilling, how untainted I did go
T'a strangers bed: (Gods answer for me:) yet
Iason by's flat'ries could with toyles beset
You k Colchians furnish'd him with other fires.
515 Now the thaw'd l stars were warm'd byth' heightned sun,
When the swift year, through halfe the girdle run,
Gave us new Sons; whose birth did crowne our vows,
And Lemnos with m unlook'd-for off-spring flowes.
I likewise, made a mother, brought forth two,
520 My forc'd beds Monument; and did renew
Their Grandsires name, from this hard-hearted stranger:
Nor since I left them, have I known their danger.
If fortune please, a nurse Lycaste bred
Them safe, full twenty years have pass'd their head.
525 The rage o'th' Sea was faln, and Southern gales
Wait with more calmenesse now upon the sayles.
The ship i'th' quiet harbour hates to ride,
And draws the cable tite, with which 'tis tied.
At this the Arganauts will put to Sea;
530 Fierce Iason cals his comrades: oh, had he
In smoother streames pass'd by my coast before,
Who thus neglects his babes, and quits the score
Of's faith ingaged: Fame saies at distance, Greece
Injoyes him now, return'd with n Phryxus's fleece.
[Page 142]Th' approaching skie, and fiery q rednesse hover'd
About the set suns bed; new sighs, alas!
Were spent, another fare-well r night it was.
The day scarce dawn'd, when lofty Iason urges
To ship-board, giving the first stroake toth' surges.540
With longing lookes we follow after these,
Plowing the foaming back o'th' spacious seas,
From rocks and tops of mountaine: Till the light
Had tir'd our wandring eyes; and to our sight
The distant waves appear to touch the s clouds,545
And th'edge of heav'n the wa [...]ry surface crouds.
A fame was spred, that Thoas crosse the Maine
Conveigh'd in's brothers t Chios now did raigne:
Whilst I unspotted, kindled u empty fires.
The bloody rabble grudge; guil [...] whets their ires:550
They call my deed t'account: Close whispers grow
Between them straight: Was' [...] shee alone, could shew
Pity t'her friends? We triumph'd o're the slaine:
No God nor Fate, which o're the towne does raigne,
Commanded w this. Affrighted at their words 555
(For sad revenge drew neere: My realme affords
As little succour:) the crook'd shoare I trace
Alone by stealth, leaving th' polluted place:
And marke which way my Father fled: but now
I met no x God: For Pirates which did row 560
To shoare, seis'd on me in the silent strand,
And brought me thus a Captive to your land.
Thus whilst the Lemnian toth' Greeke Captaines speaks,
And with her plaints, her force of sorrow breaks;
Whose heavy eyes, and fainting mouth is clos'd
Toth' flowry ground; whilst childish action tires
Him to a sleep; clasping the grassy z spires.
Meane while, an earth-borne Serpent in the fields
570 Lifts up his crested neck, whose presence yeilds
A a sacred horrour toth' Achaean groves:
His monstrous bulke * i'th' furrow'd sands, he moves
And drags his taile behind; Fire sparkles from
His eyes, and on his mouth stands a greene foame
575 Of swollen venom: His three-fork'd tongue is darted
Through his three rowes of teeth: His forehead's parted
With the sad glory of his glistring scales.
The country-man, this Serpent sacred cals
To the Inachian b Thund'rer, who protects
580 The place, and in these woods his shrine erects,
An humble honour. Now the Serpent crawles
In winding folds about his Temple-wals:
Anon, the oakes o'th' wretched wood are torne,
And with's imbraces the tall beeches worne.
585 Oft-times, a rivers bankes on either side,
Stretch'd out, he presses: Whilst his scaly hide
Dams up the roaring streame. But when the ground
Reaks now (as c Bacchus charg'd) & th'Nymphs are found
Panting i'th' dust, upon the earth he glides,
590 With his indented back, and winding sides:
Raging with greater danger, sin [...]e the fire
Kindled his poys'nous thirst: He rols i'th' mire
[Page 144]Of pooles, drie lakes, and springs choak'd up with drouth,
And rivers empty channels. With his mouth
Turn'd up, now drinks he liquid Ayre; and then 595
Uncertaine what to do, grovels agen
Upon the earth, and shaves the d groaning plaine,
If any moisture in the grasse remaine;
Which withers, blasted with's infectious breath;
And where he creepes, his hisses usher death.600
Such was the e snake, which from the Northern ear
Divides the skie, and thence extendeth far
Within the Southerne Zone. Such was the f snake,
Whose circles made th'infolded g heads to shake
With many wounds, he bore a wood of darts.
Poor babe, what God allotted thee a Fate
So great? Doest thou scarce having past the gate
Of life, beneath a foe so powerfull fall?
Was't, that the Graecians might hereafter call 610
Thee sacred? worthy of that tombe? The child
Byth' taile o'th' Serpent unawares is kill'd.
Sleepe soone forsakes his tender limbs, and's eyes
Looke up to welcome Fate, and then he dies.
But when his dying shrikes the aire hath strooke,615
And plaints halfe utter'd his pale lips forsooke,
(Like those imperfect words, in dreames we speake:)
Hypsip'le frighted heard him: But her weake
Knees falter'd in her course; her minde foretold
The mischief: whilst her roving eyes behold 620
The ground she searches on: Doubling, in vaine
Those words her infant knew. He's gone; The plaine
[Page 145]Has lost the markes it had; where the dull snake
In a green knot lies gather'd, and does take
625 The spacious field up: Resting's neck upon
His winding panch. A trembling seizes on
Th' unhappy soul at sight on't; her shrill cries
Ring through the wood: Yet still the Serpent lies
Unterrified. At last the Graecians hear
Commanded, flies, and brings the reason: Then
Mov'd with their glitt'ring Armes, and noise o'th' men,
He rais'd his scaly neck, with visage sowre:
But stout Hippomedon with all his power
635 Lifts up a stone, the land-marke; which he flings
Through th' aire, with such a force, as warlike slings
With milstones pois'd, strong barricadoes shake:
Yet his strength's disappointed: For the snake
Having shrunke up his tender neck, to's back,
640 Escapes th'approaching blow. The earth does k crack:
Whilst he in numerous curles hops through the shrubs.
But, met by Capa [...]eus with's ashen club,
My wounds, he cries out, though shalt never flee;
Whether a fierce inhabitant thou be
645 Of this darke grove; or else some God: (and l oh!
That Gods tooke any pleasure in thee.) No:
Not if a m Gyant should thy back bestride.
Then flies his quivering spear, and does divide
The monstrous gaping jaws, and cuts in two
650 His fork'd tongues poys'nous strings; thence pierces (through
His standing mane, and glistering forehead;n next,
Dau [...]' [...] with his braines blacke goare, i'th' earth 'tis fixt.
Paine had scarce posted through every part,
When he with many folds twines round the dart:
And bearing it plu [...]k'd out, he flies away
[Page 146]Toth' Gods darke Temples, meas'ring, as he say,
The ground with's bulke: his mourning soule does twine,655
As 'twas hiss'd out, about his masters shrine.
The angry pooles of Lerna, neere o of kin,
And Nymphs, that us'd with floures to strew his skin,
p Nemea o're which he'ad crawl'd, the Gods of all
The groves, and Faunes, (their reeds q brook) wept his fall.660
And winter stormes were gather'd o're the land;
But that, (the God not s ceas'd yet,) Capaneus is
Reserv'd to merit greater plagues then this.
Yet blasts of lightning glanced up and downe,665
And t singed the top of's helmet on his crowne.
And now th' unhappy Lemni [...]n wandring over
The field, freed from the serpent, does discover
Upon a distant hillocke, how the grasse
With sprinkled drops of blood discolour'd was.
Hither with bitter moanes she bends her pace,
Raging, and sees the mischief; on the place
Of guilt, she fals like lightning: neither words
Nor tea res at first, that fatall sight affords.
But onely doubling wretched kisses, she
Fals on him, seeking where his soul did flee 675
From his warme limbs: Nor's u face, nor's breast appear
I'th' place; his skin's torne; all his bones lie bare:
With springing shoures of blood his joynts are drown'd;
And all his body's one continued wound.680
So when a crowes nest, and her young ones, laid
In a broad oake, by a serpent are destroy'd.
The hen returnes, and wondring she don't hear
Their cawking noise, sits tittering or'e for fear,
And lets the meat she brought fall from her bill,
[Page 147]Since onely bloud, and scatter'd downe does fill
Her plunder'd bower. When the poor wretch, dismay'd,
Within her lap his mangled limbs had laid,
And wrapt them in her locks: Her voice at last
690 Broke loose from greif, and found a way: Her wast
Of sighes dissolv'd to words: Oh thou that doest
Breake the faire image of the sons I lost
A [...]c [...]emorus! thou comfort of my state,
And Country left! Grace, to my captiv'd Fate!
695 What guilty gods extinguish'd thee, my joy?
Whom I left sporting when I went away,
And tumbling on the grasse? Ah! where are found
T [...]y star-like eyes, now, and the tongue-tied sound
Of thy halfe words? Thy smiles, and murmurs soft,
700 Which onely I could understand? how oft,
Lemnos, and Argos heard'st thou me recite?
And with sad lullabies thy sleep invite?
Thus I cheer'd up my griefe, suckling this child
As 'twere mine owne: But now his mouth is fill'd
705 With showres of milke in vaine, which trickle downe
Oh my presaging dreames, and nightly fears!
Venus at no time unreveng'd appears
I'th' darke, to my affrighted sense. But why
710 Accuse I heaven? Why, ready now to dye
Fear I to tell the truth? 'Twas I alone
Expos'd thy life. What madnesse seis'd upon
My soul? Could such a care be so forgot?
Whilst I proud foole, report my Countries lot,
And mine owne fame; Lemnos, thy y sin I act:
715'Twas wondrous piety sure! Captaines, direct
Me to the fatall snake: If thankes be due
For my unlucky z merit; or if you
[Page 148]Honour my words. Or else dispatch me here:
Lest my offensive person should appear
Bereft. Although in sorrowes combate, she
Can hardly overcome me. Shall I go
To her, and this unwelcome burthen throw
Into her lap? Earth sinke me first below
The Center. With these words, she dawbs her brow 725
With dust and bloud: And roules at feet o'th' b Kings,
Imputing close, to their griev'd souls, the c springs.
And now the d royall Priest, Lycurgus hears
The news, which fils him, and the house with tears.
He came; slasht inwards there, he'ad offer'd up
To threatning Iove, and shaking's head return'd
From th' Altar, where the speckled intrals burn'd.
Here he secur'd himselfe from Graecian wars:
The Temple stop'd him, though not free from cares.335
Nor were the gods oraculous replies.
And old advice forgot: a voice did rise
Toth' Graecian wars bring the first funerall.
This frights him; since Wars Charriot [...]ak'd the ground,740
He's sad, and startles at the trumpets sound:
Yet h envies the Armes mark'd out for ruine, See
The faith of i heav'n! Guarded Hipsipyle
Brings the torne carkasse forth; and meets the Mother
Who brought a traine of howling Matrons with her.745
But stout Lycurg's dull piety forbears;
He's better sp'rited; rage drunke up his tears:
And meas'ring with long steps the plaines, he cries:
Where's she, that does losse of my blood despise,
[Page] 750 Or joys in't? Breaths she still? Companions take her,
And drag her quickly hither: I will make her
Forget her Lemnian tale, and sire belied,
And sacred stock, which bolsters up her pride.
Then he rush'd on; and snatch'd a sword in's rage
755 To run her through: But Tydeus does ingage
With's shield against his brest; and gnashing cries,
Stop, Mad-man, stop thy furious enterprize,
Who e're thou art: Nor Capaneus is slack,
Nor fierce Hipomedon, with's sword k drawn back,
Dazled with her bright armes. Then's servants rise
To aid their King. Adrastus, in the rout,
More calmely, and Amphiaraus, out
Of reverence to his partners m garland, cries;
765 Forbear I pray, and sheath your swords: there is,
One n Grandsires blood, which makes us all of kin:
Don't cherish fury thus: Do thou o begin.
But Tydeus, discompos'd still, thus replies:
Dar'st thou, upon thy sons tombe sacrifice
770 The Graecians guide and their preserver; while
Avenging by't!) A Kingdome is her due;
Her stocks deriv'd. Wil't not content thy pride,
775 That all thy Country-men take armes beside?
Thou onely, 'mongst the raging troops, hast peace?
But hug it still: Oh may victorious Greece
Find thee, lamenting still thy fate, o're's urne.
This said; He breaking's anger does returne
780 More modestly: I did not thinke, that you
Marching to race the Thebane bulwarks, drew
[Page] [...]n enemies force on us: Go on, destroy
[...]our brethren; (if you thinke it such a joy:)
[...]eason your armes at home: Let impious fires
For, what * offence has past?) consume the spires 785
Of Iove, in s vaine long worship'd. I conceiv'd,
A Prince and Master, when so justly griev'd,
[...]ad power o're's servant: But heav'ns Soveraigne
[...]ees this; he sees, and's anger does remaine
[...]ure though't be late: This spoke; he lookes about 790
[...]oth' Towne, where war had rais'd another rout.
[...]resh fame outstrips the horse-mens speed, and brings
A t double tumult upon both her wings.
AEport flies up and downe, Hypsipiles led
[...]o execution, and by this time dead.795
Tis soon * beleiv'd: nor will they stop their anger,
[...]ut fire and sword, their houses straight indanger.
[...]hey' [...]e overthrow the Kingdome, and subdue
Captiv'd Lycurg's, with Iove, and's Altars too:
[...]he women shrikes the Ecchoing houses here,800
[...]nd u grief inverted turnes its back to fear.
[...]ut high Adrastus, in's swift Chariot, flies
[...]'th' mid'st o'th' troops, and shewes before their eyes
[...] Thoantis, carried with him: crying thus:
[...]old, hold, here's nothing done that's barbarous.805
Lycurgus no such ruine has deserv'd;
[...]ehold, the foundresse of our streame's preserv'd.
So when on this side th' East, and Northerne wind,
On that, the gloomy Southerne are combin'd
[...]o vex the Seas, with divers stormes; the day 810
[...]s banish't, and darke winter bears the sway:
Mounted on's steed comes Neptune o're the Maine,
But when the faling waves his signall heare,
What God, in pity to their funerall griefe,
Prosper'd their vows so much? and did relieve
Hypsipiles tears, with joys past expectation?
Thou father z Evan, founder of the Nation,
820 Didst bring to Nemea, from the Lemnian strand,
The a two young Brethren, and strange fate command.
They sought their mother then, and did resort
Unto Lycurgus's hospitable Court:
When the sad messenger came in, to tell
825 The King, how's son byth' stroake o'th' Serpent fell.
They therefore troop along: (Oh chance! how dim
Mens souls are to fore-see!) and favour him.
But when the sound of Lemnos strooke their ears,
And Thoas's name, they rush through swords and spears;
830 And weeping, both with greedy armes infold
Their mother, where they 'xchange each others soul.
She like a rock stands with fixt eyes unmov'd,
And dares not b trust the Gods, which she had prov'd.
But when their face, and th' c Argo's stampe she notes
835 On their forsaken swords; and on their coates,
d Iason [...] imbroider'd picture: sighes depart▪
So great a present does or'echarge her heart,
And downe she sinkes: then were her eyes bedew'd
With other tears. Signes from the e sky were shew'd:
840 And whilst the joyfull crowd their shouts do reare,
f Bacchus his drums and trumpets rend the aire.
Oiclides then, when first their rage did breake
To silence, and he might be heard to speake,
Begins: Thou Neman ruler, and the rest
[...]he Graecian Armes; the Destinies do use
[...]he river, then the deadly snake, and boy
Archemorus, nam'd from our fate: All this 850
[...]y heav'ns supreame decrees appointed is.
[...]ake off your edge: Quick armes must be delaid:
[...]his infant must have lasting honours paid,
[...]o's merit: Let k couragious hands appease
[...]is Ghost with faire oblations. Might it please 855
Apollo to beget mor [...] stops, and fright
Our troops with new mischances fro [...] the sight▪
[...]ut happy m you, that have out-stript the fate
Of your great Parents: hence, sh [...]ll ages tell 860
[...]our everlasting name, whilst waters dwell
[...] Lernas poole, and Inachus shall flow,
[...]nd Nemeas shades dance on the fields below:
[...]et [...]ot prophaning teares be shed upon
[...]is sacred tombe, doe not the Gods bemone:865
[...]e is inroll'd a God: Nor would he rather
The long experience of o Ph [...]ygian years.
[...]e ends, and night heav'ns sable mantle weares.
Finis Lib. V. Statii Thebaid.