CANTO X. I. THE shepherds to the woody mount withdrew, Where hillock seats, shades yield a canopy; Whose top with violets dy'd all in blue, Might seem to make a little azure sky : And that round hill, which their weak heads maintain❜d, The weight of all the Heav'ns, which sore his shoulders pain'd. II. And here and there sweet primrose scattered, A Within this earthly Heav'n the shepherds play, Abate their flaming heat, and youthful might: The sheep had left their shades, to mind their meat, Then all returning to their former seat, Thirsil again began his weary song repeat. IV. "Great pow'r of Love! with what commanding fire Dost thou enflame the world's wide regiment, And kindly heat in every heart inspire! Nothing is free from thy sweet government : Fish burn in seas; beasts, birds thy weapons prove; By thee dead elements and heav'ns move; Which void of sense itself, yet are not void of love. V. But those twin Loves, which from thy seas of light Had need both arm'd and surely guarded go: Next to the younger Love, Irenus* went, Whose hoary head proclaim'd his winter age : There hid in quiet sheath, sleeps it in endless night. Patience his shield had lent to ward his breast, By him Andreos‡ pac'd, of middle age, His mind as far from rashness, as from fears; Hating base thoughts, as much as desp'rate rage: The world's loud thund'rings he unshaken hears: * Peaceableness. + Matt. v. 9. U Fortitude. Nor will he death or life, or seek or fly, Ready for both.-He is as cowardly Worst was his civil war, where deadly fought He with himself, till passion yields or dies: His rage well temper'd is: no fear can daunt Well may he strength in death; but never courage want. But like a mighty rock, whose unmov'd sides The hostile sea assaults with furious wave, And 'gainst his head the boist'rous north-wind rides ; Waves scatter'd, drop in tears, winds broken, whining plain*. XI. Such was this knight's undaunted constancy; No mischief weakens his resolved mind : None fiercer to a stubborn enemy; But to the yielding none more sweetly kind. His shield an even ballast ship embraves, Which dances light, while Neptune wildly raves: His word was this, I fear but Heav'n, nor winds nor waves." XII. And next Macrothumust, whose quiet face No cloud of passion ever shadowed; Nor could hot anger reason's rule displace, Purpling the scarlet cheek with fiery red : * i. e complain. + Long-suffering. Nor could revenge, clad in a deadly white, With hidden malice eat his vexed sprite. For ill, he good repay'd, and love exchang'd for spite. XIII. Was never yet a more undaunted spirit; Yet, most him deem'd a base and tim'rous swain; And though he died, yet dead, he rose a conqueror. His nat❜ral force beyond all nature stretched : His rocky arms of massy adament, Safely could back rebut the hardest blade; Of such strange mould and temper was he made : Though many weights its rising arms depress'd: His word was Rising most, by being most oppress'd.' 6 XVI. Next him Androphilus*, whose sweetest mind "Twixt mildness temper'd, and low courtesy, Could cease as soon to be, as not be kind : Churlish despite ne'er look'd from his calm eye, * Gentleness, or courtesy. Much less commanded in his gentle heart: XVII. His enemies knew not how to discommend him All others dearly lov'd; fell ranc'rous Spite, But he such slavish office much refusing, ; Can eas❜ly quit his name from their false tongues abusing. XVIII. His arms were fram'd into a glitt'ring night, Whose sable gown with stars all spangled wide, Afford the weary traveller cheerful light, And to his home his erring footsteps guide: Upon his ancient shield the workmen fine Had drawn the Sun, whose eye did ne'er repine To look on good and ill: his word, To all I shine.' XIX. Fair Virtue, where stay'st thou in poor exile, Leaving the court from whence thou took'st thy name? While in thy place is stept disdaining vile, And flattery, base son of need and shame; And with them surly scorn, and hateful pride; Which more display her shame, than loathsome foulness hide, Late, there thou liveḍst with a gentle swain, (As gentle swain as ever lived there) Who lodg'd thee in his heart, and all thy train, Where hundred other graces quarter'd were; |