XLIV. As Neptune's cistern draws in tribute tides, Ev'n so the first of these three counsellors, The next that in the castle's front is plac'd, Phantastes* hight, his years are fresh and green; His visage old, his face too much defac'd With ashes pale; his eyes deep sunken been 1 With often thoughts, and never slack'd intention : Father of wit, the well of arts, and quick invention. But in his private thoughts and busy brain Thousand thin forms and idle fancies flit ; Oft dreams of fire, and water; loose delight; Nor can he think, nor speak, nor move, for great affright. *The fancy. XLVIII. Phantastes from the first all shapes deriving, Which soon as he hath view'd with searching eye, Eumnestes old, who in his living screen (His mindful breast) the rolls and records bears Therefore his body weak, his eyes half blind, But mind more fresh and strong; (ah, better fate!) And as his earcase, so his house declin'd; Yet were the walls of firm and able state: Only on him a nimble page attends, Who when for aught the aged grandsire sends But let my song pass from these worthy sages The understanding. LII. Nor can I guess, whether his Muse divine. Or gives to those, or takes from them his grace; Hath justly him enroll'd in second place ; ̈ ̈ There shall our Colin live for ever blest, 'Spite of those thousand spites, which living, him oppress'd. LIII. The prince his time in double office spends: For shedding round about his sparkling light, As when the Sun restores the glitt'ring day, Which late one colour hid, the eye deceiving: All so this prince those shapes obscure receiving, With his suffused light makes ready to conceiving. LV. This first, is call'd the active faculty, Which to a higher pow'r the object leaves: That takes it in itself, and cunningly Changing itself, the object soon perceives : For straight itself in self-same shape adorning. Becomes the same with quick and strange transforming; So is all things itself, to all itself conforming, LVI. Thus when the eye through Visus' jetty ports So is whate'er it sees by wondrous change: Thrice happy then, when on that *mirrour bright So is what there he views; divine, full, glorious light. Soon as the prince, these forms hath clearly seen, Voletta + fair, who with him lives, and reigns; Whom neither man, nor fiend, nor God constrains : Oft good, oft ill, oft both, yet ever free remains. LVII. Not that great sovereign of the Fairy land, (Though Graces decking her with plenteous hand, Though in her breast she virtue's temple bare, Nor that great Glorian's self, with this might e'er compare Her radiant beauty, dazzling mortal eye, Strikes blind the daring sense; her sparkling face Her husband's self now cannot well descry: With such strange brightness, such immortal grace, Hath that great parent in her cradle made, That Cynthia's silver cheek would quickly fade, And light itself to her, would seem a painted shade. Queen Elizabeth. 2 Corinthians, iii. 18. †The Will. LX. But, ah! entic'd by her own worth and pride, On her a royal damsel still attends, And faithful counsellor, *Synteresis : For though Voletta ever good intends, Yet by fair ills she oft deceived is; But ills so fairly dress'd with cunning slight, That virtue's self they well may seem to sight, But that bright virtue's self oft seems not half so bright. LXII. Therefore Synteresis of nimble sight, Oft helps her doubtful hand, and erring eye; Else mought she ever, stumbling in this night, Fall down as deep as deepest Tartary. Nay, thence a sad fair maid, Repentance, rears, And in her arms her fainting lady bears, Washing her often stains with ever-falling tears. LXIII. Thereto she adds a water sovereign, Of wondrous force, and skilful composition: For first she pricks the heart in tender vein; Then from those precious drops, and deep contrition, With lips' confession, and with bitter cries, Still'd in a broken spirit, sad vapours rise, Exhal'd by sacred fires, and drop through melting eyes. *Conscience. |