Classic Poem

Meane while the Queene Fanning A secret Fyer
in her owne brest, revolves her deepe desire
shee oft reflects upon the princely grace
of great Eaneas, and that Noble race
from whence he springs, her wounded fancy feedes
on his discourse, his high Heroyike deedes
his wordes, his lookes, her waking thoughts imploy
and when shee sleepes, shee sees him with more joye,
but seldome sleepes; when the shades of night
had left their Empire to the rising light
foulding her sister in her Armes, shee sayes
what unacquainted thoughts, with dreams, are these,
how great A guest, within our walles wee hold
how wise in Councell, and in Armes how bold;
The mortall seede of men acknowledge feare,
but this brave Prince his equall minde doeth reare
above all chance: Did not my changelesse vow
and myne owne will engage me to allow
noe other love, my first affection dead
and with the soule of my Sicheus fled,
weare not all Joyes growne tastlesse, and the name
of love offensive, since I lost that flame,
I might perhapps indulge this one desire,
for Anna I confesse since funerall fyer
embrac't Sicheus, the first beame of light
hath offred comfort to soe darke a night,
Diswonted motions in my thoughts retriv'd
I feele, and feele the brand of care revivd;
But may the earth, whilst yet alive devowre
this haplesse frame, or Jove his Thunder power
uppon my head, and sinke mee to that shade
that silent deepe, wher noe returne is made,
before I doe those sacred knotts untie
which binde me to soe deare A memory,
hee first unto my soule, this Ardor gave,
and may he hold itt in his quiet grave:
This sayd, shee weepes afresh, Anna replies
O, Cheefely Lov'd and Dearer then myne eyes
Sadd, and alone, for ever will you wast
your verdant youth, nor natures bounty tast
in their due seasons, thinke you that the dead
in their cold urnes, welcome the teares wee shedd,
what though noe prayers, have yet had power to move
your thoughts, to entertaine a second love,
yet will you now, with your owne harte contest
nor give admittance to a pleasing guest;
Consider wher this new plantation lies
and amidst whom these walls, of Carthage rise,
Heere the Getulians, feirce Numideans there,
on either side, engage your wakefull feare,
Propitious Heaven it seemes, and Juno ledd
these Trojans heere, with soe desir'd an aide:
this match will mix your fortunes, and advance
the Trojans state above all force, or chance,
Implore the powers above, with soft delay
engage the Dardan Prince, to longer stay,
till the swolne seas, and winde their fury spend
and calmer gales his purposes attend;
This speach revives the courage of the Dame,
and through her burning veines dilates the flame,
first to the holy Temples they repayre
and seeke indulgence from above by prayer,
law giving Ceres, Phebus they invoke
but above all, doe Junoes Alters smoake,
Propitious to the bondes of Love; the Queene
with her owne handes, the Heyfers Hornes betweene
powers the full Bowles, or midst the sacrifice
Intentive walkes, As the rich odors rise,
fresh guifts she brings, and with A thoughtfull braine
survayes the panting fivers of the slaine,
Blinde Prophecies, vayne Alters, Bootelesse prayer,
how little helpe they, whilst soe neere a care
presses the Queene, and mingled with her bloud
spreads secret poyson, through the purple floud,
the Haplesse Dido is enragd by love
and with uncertaine thoughts doeth wildly move;
soe when A sheapheards roving arrowes finde
and pierce (to him unknowne) some carelesse hinde,
shee flyes through woodes, and seekes the streames, opprest
the mortall arrow ranckells in her breast.
Now to the walles she leades the Trojan Cheefe
and with this foode shee entertaines her greefe,
showes the Sidonians wealth, and as shee speakes,
her owne discourse (by care diverted) breakes;
The evening closes with another feast
and ther againe invites the Princely guest,
to tell the daungers past, and ther againe
shee drinkes together deeper love and paine.
But when the Prince (Nights darker ensignes spread,
and sleepy dew upon all mortalls shedd)
doeth bid farewell, shee waking then alone,
deserted, mournes, that her deare Love is gone,
or keepes Ascainus, in her Armes to prove
if likenesse can delude her restlesse love.
Meanewhile her stately structures slowly rise
halfe finisht Carthage rude and broken lies
that high designe to Heaven erected frame
confused appears, and like a ruine, lame;
which when survayed by Juno from above.
and that the Queene neglects her fame for love,
approching Venus, thus Saturnia sayes,
what Ample Trophies, never dying prayse
to you, and to your Cupid wilbe payd
that two such Gods one woman have betrayd,
I know with what designe you ust this Art
planting Eaneas thus in Didoes hart
suspecting that these walles of myne might prove
faythlesse to him, if not securd by love,
but shall this partiall quarrell never cease
may we not now fix an eternall peace
Fayre Dido loves, and feeles your Goulden Dart
give but like Ardor to the Trojans hart,
and wee will rule this state with Mutuall power
and give the Phrigean Carthage for a Dower.
Venus replyes (seeing the wife of Jove
to cross the hieght of Roman greatnesse strove)
with this deceite, what madnesse can refuse
freindship with you wher you a freindshipp chuse,
But whether Jove will favour this designe
and this great people in one Empire Joyne,
this in your prayers, who are his wife doeth lie,
Juno replies, impose this taske on mee
for what is now in hand, let this suffice
the Trojan Prince, with his unhappy Prise
the wounded Queene, to chase the flying Deare
(soone as the morning beames of light appeare)
hies to the feilds, ther, on this goodly traine
I'le power a darkening storme of haile and raine,
shake Heaven with Thunder, whilst the pale Troops ride
disperst with feare, and lost without A guide,
one cave in her darke bosome shall afford
shelter to Dido and her Trojan Lord;
And (if as I) propitious to their love
you shine, this shall their Hymeneall prove
all rites shall heere be done; Venus with smiles
consents, but laughs within att Junoes wiles,
The morning come, earely as lights first raye
the Gallant youth rise with the cheerefull day,
Sharpe Javelines in their handes, their Coursers by
they walke amidst the houndes impatient cry.
Neerer the gates the Trojan Peeres attend
and wayte the Queene, now ready to descend,
Her Prowder steed, as filld with high disdaine
pawes the dull earth, and champs the frothy Raine,
mounted att last, her Goulden quiver on
wound up with gould her hayre, which gould like shone
her purple garment claspd with gould, in head
of the fayre troope the brighter Queene doeth lead,
with these the Trojans, and their greate Cheife close
as one fayre streame into another flowes,
he like Apollo, in his light and heate
when he returnes unto his native seate
of Delos, And fresh verdure doeth restore,
forsaking Zanthus, and the Lician shore,
thus he on Cinthus topps, his one retreat
securely walkes, thus welcome and thus great
the Driopeians and the Cretians by
soe doeth his quiver clash, not lesse then hee
Eaneas shines, like beawty in his face
and in his motions, like attractive grace,
whilst thus they climbe the pathlesse hill, the Crye
pursues the fearefull heardes, which head long flye
downe to the Dales, and on the boundlesse plaine
A longer chace, in veiw of all maintaine.
But glad Ascanius spurrs his willing Horse
now these, now those, out passing in the course
he wishes some incensed Bore his praye
or Lyon from the hill would crosse his waye,
Meane while the gathering clowdes obscure the Pole
they flash out Lightnings and in Thunder Role,
A bitter storme succeedes, the Troopes devide
and o're the Hills disperst, to coverts Ride,
one cave in her darke bosome doeth afford
shelter to Dido, and the Trojan Lord,
Heaven shines with fyers, earth shakes att this successe
the conscious Aire is Filld with prodegies
this was the hower which gave the fatall blow
the pregnant spring of all succeeding woe;
Tender respects noe more have power to move
the haplesse Queene, noe more she hides her love
but doeth excuse it with Chast Hymens name
and lives exposd a theame to various fame,
fame, the most swift of ills, which in her course
dilated, spreads, and flying gathers force,
sprung from A scarce discerned seede, doeth treade
on the low ground, but lifts to heaven her head,
Shee (as tis sayd) was of that Monstrous birth
the latest sister, which the teemyng earth
producd to warr with Heaven, itt selfe alone
surviving, all her Brothers over throwne,
millions of Plumbs advance her easie flight
as many eyes, enlarge her piercing sight,
as many eares, to catch reports, and then,
as many tongues, to spread those tales againe,
The silent night cannot the voyce allay
of this ill boding Dame, in the bright day
shee sitts upon the citty walls a spye
and takes delight all feares to multiply.
Shee now through Libeas Empire doeth defuse
talke of Eaneas, and the un welcome newse
of Didoes love; that he, late fledd from Troye
such envied power, and beawty doeth enjoye,
This the light Dame proclaymes in every eare
and I'arbas doeth this same message beare
I'arbas, who had felte fayre Didoes scorne
Joves sonne, of ravisht Garamante borne,
who Hallowed had to his great fathers name
an hundred Alters, which together flame
with ceacelesse incence to the powers above,
eternall fyers, pledges of Humble Love:
Madd with the Newse, the Libean Monarch layes
his prostrate face before high Heaven, and sayes,
all powerfull Jove, propitious to the Moores
whom Lybea more then any land Adores
beholdst thou this; or doeth our vayner feare
ascribe just vengance to the Thunderer,
Shee, who A stranger with our leave hath gain'd
possession heere, from us the power obtain'd
to plant A Towne, hath thought her selfe above
the price and Meritt of our Ardent Love,
yet now with joye receive into our Land
The flying Trojan and his Conquerd Band,
resignes to him, her Beawty, Fame, and power,
preferrs the Phrigian to the scorned moore,
is this our pay, our recompense, whilst wee
consume our flocks in sacrifice to thee;
whilst thus he powers his greefe before the shrines
and sacred Alters, mighty Jove enclines,
and seeing Carthage, and the Amorous paire
Whoe in their pleasures, quench all Noble care,
he thus bespeaks his swift embassadour,
goe sonne, and hie thee, to the Tirrian shoare
and to the Dardan Prince, whose generous fire
is now betrayd by love, and low desire,
this Message beare, twas not this destiny
his fayrest mother promist us, when shee
preserv'd him from the powerfull Armes of Greece
shee gave us then, farr other hopes then this
that he from conquered Alba should extend
his Empire, to the worlds remotest end,
and spread the fame of Teucers mighty race
if in his thoughts these Honours have noe place
if he [have] lost all sense of High renowne,
ah, can he yet envye, the towers of Roome
to his Ascanius, and fayr Latiunes swaye,
this Message to the Phrigean Prince convaye
and bid him hoyse his sayles; swift Mercurye
takes the Comaund, and through the aire doeth flye
his shyning winges of gould, and in his hand
the ensigne of his power, his sacred wand,
that wand, which long closd eyes, doeth blesse with light
and seales up others in eternall night.
With this he cutts the ayre, and yeelding clouds,
att length sees Atlas topp, Atlas which shrowds
his pine crownd head, in Heaven, and doeth sustaine
incessant stormes, of new form'd windes and raine;
Heere first he stoopes low as the earth, and then
employes his winges with all their speede againe,
till the vast seas o're past, and Libeas sandes
he slaks his cource at Carthage, and ther landes,
Wher when arriv'd, he findes the Trojan King
viewing the walls, intent in ordering
the strength and beawty of the new raisd towne
to whom the winged Cillenius thus begunn.
Ah too' too mindlesse of your owne affayres
your thoughts immearc't in lesse concerning cares
can you in Tirrean wealth, and greatnesse joye
and Carthage build forgetfull of your Troy?
Great Jove who rules, and fills this spacious all
the ever moving sphaeres, the fixed Ball
sends me to aske, with what unblest designe
you doe the hopes of better fates resigne,
and glories due to Tewcers mighty race,
if in your thoughts these Honors have noe place
if you have lost all sence of high renowne
all can you yet envy the towers of Rome
to your Ascanius, and fayre Latiums sway,
Hermes (this sayd) returnes the Aiery way
he came, but colde amazement doeth surprise
Eaneas speechlesse tongue, and fixed eyes,
his pious feares, urge him in hast to flye
the too lov'd Land, and deare Captivity,
but this resolv'd, what way is left to' infuse
th' unhappy Queene with this unwelcome newse,
A thousand councells wander in his minde
now heere, now here, successively inclin'd,
this he preferrs, he calls Eurittochus
the bold Cleanthus, trusted Mnesteus,
gives them in charge that they the fleete prepare
gather the Troopes, but yet disguise their care
that he meane while will to the Queene impart
at some fitt tyme, his much devided Hart,
Or when his canvas winges are spread to flye
impute to heaven the sadd necessity.
Thus he resolves, and thus comaunds these Peeres
But nothing can escape the wakefull feares
of the enamour'd Queene, whose tender breast
presages ill, by the first change imprest
before the ill arrives, already fame
which lately did the Libean Prince inflame
now takes delight to spread this ill report
that the glad Phrigeans to their shipps resort
preparing flight, the Jealous Queene pursues
through every part the much amazing newes,
the more shee heares, the more enraged with greife
she thus at last invades the Trojans chiefe,
could thy disembling hart consent to flye
this hated Land, with cruell secresye
Perfideous man, canst thou soe soone remove
the Bondes of vowes, and dearer bondes of Love?
nor spare one word, or shed one teare to save
my wretched life descending to the grave
Why yet in winter to the stormy maine
dos't thou expose thy wandring Fleete againe?
Cruell and falce, didst thou not seeke a land
unknowne, did now the Ancient Illium stand,
weare this A tyme, through Hazzards such as these
to seeke thy Troy through winter, windes and seas,
whom doest thou fly? by these unfayned teares
I doe conjure thee, by these loving Feares
by myne owne life, or (what is more) by thyne
by all that hath obleig'd thee yet of myne
pitty my Fall: And shew att least some grace
to these my prayers, if prayers may yet have place
for thee, the hate and envye I support
of the Numidean, and the Lician court
for thee I have displeas'd my owne and lost
that modesty, which I alone could boast
that better fame, by which I had surviv'd
my funerall fyre, and after death had liv'd,
what have I left, and whither shall I fly,
shall I attend Pigmalions cruelty
or till Iarbus doe in fetters lead
the proud dispiser of his love and bed?
I never could have thought my selfe undone
had but kind Heaven indulg'd me with A sonne
resembling thee, in whose (though childlesse face)
I might retrive thy Lookes, and Princely grace.
Sad Dido pauses heere. The Trojan cheefe
restraines within, the motions of his greife
then thus replyes; you never can repeate
Great Queene the summ of my unquestion'd debt,
and whilst my active soule informes this frame
I, never shall forget Eliza's name,
I urge noe more, let it suffice that I
in thankelesse silence never meant to flye
nor did I ever to those bondes pretend
which now would charge me as a faythlesse freind,
had I beene trusted to designe my fate
when Troy betray'd, fell by the Grecians hate,
I from the ashes of that dearest towne
had ther restor'd another Illium;
But now the Lician Oracle commaunds,
Apollo now assignes th' Ausonian Lands
and thither bids us send our thoughts and care
and only fix our Expectation there,
fayre Carthage you, and your owne worke survay
A stranger borne, A Forraine Scepter sway,
and shall it be a crime (alasse) if wee
desire at last to rest in Italy;
noe night doeth passe, in which I doe not see
the good Anchises Image, beckning mee
nor is ther day in which I not reflect
on my Ascanius, and that Lov'd aspect
to whom by fate the Hesperian Crowne is due
hither of late Joves winged Herauld flewe
nor did he in Delusive dreames appeare
awake I did the angry message heare.
Then fayrest Queene doe not this fate withstand
unwillingly I leave this happy land
whilst thus he talkes, the much distempred Dame
incenst within, breaks forth into this flame.
Nor wert thou of the gentle Goddesse bred
nor art thou sprung from great Anchises seede
perfideous man; But from some savage stock
hewen from the marble of some mountaine rock;
for why should I disguise this hight of ill
and still deceiv'd, expect new favour still.
Did he let fall one pittying word, one teare
or did he with one sigh my passion heare.
What shall I doe? for now alasse I see
that neither Juno Deignes to favour mee
nor Jove himselfe lookes downe with equall eyes
the earth is faythlesse, faythlesse are the skyes
shippwrackt and cast upon the barren shore
pursu'd by cruell fates, Forsaken, poore
I gave thee Harbour in my symple breast
Ah ill advis'd, and too unmindfull guest,
I sav'd thy fleete, thy freinds and faythlesse thee
But now forsooth Apollos Augurye
the Oracles are urgd to incite
and angry Jove, comaunds thy suddaine flight,
is Heaven concern'd, doeth care of Humane fate
disturbe the calmenesse of th' imortall state?
Thou hearst me not, regardlesse of my crye,
goe then, and through the seas seeke Italy,
through the deafe seas, and through the raging winde
and such compassion as thow shewest fynde.
Ther mayst thou call on Didoes name in vayne
I'le follow thee, bee present in thy paine,
and when cold earth shall this mixt frame devide
my Ghost shall lacquey by thy frighted side,
thou dearely shalt repent, the newse of this
shall overtake my soule, and give it blisse.
nor wayting answer, from the Prince she flyes
and wishes she had power to shunn all eyes,
but fainting soone and to her chamber ledd
she throwes her selfe upon her Ivory bedd:
Pious Eaneas, though his Noble breast
softned by love, was with much greife opprest
though faine he would with gentle words asswage
the Queenes high passion, and divert her rage
suspends not yet his Heaven inspired care
but doeth his fleete without delay prepare.
The Trojans plye the worke, the busie maine
is fild with noyse, the shipps now floate againe
on every side are seene descending downe
long troopes, which bring provision from the towne,
soe when the winter fearing Ants invade
some heapes of Corne, the husbandman hath made,
the sable armye, marches, and with praye
Loaden, returne, pressing the levy way,
some helpe the weaker, and their shoulders lend
others the order of the march attend,
bring up the Troopes and punish all delay
what wear thy thoughts sadd Dido on that day,
how deepe thy sighes; when from thy Towers above
thou seest the Phrigeans, in such order move,
and hearst the tumults of the clamorus sea,
all conquering love, what can resist thy sway;
once more the Queene, to humble teares descends
adds language to her greefe, once more she sendes
that she might leave noe remedy untride
nor councell unexplor'd, before shee dyed,
Anna shee sayes, thou seest the peopled seas
the Phrigeans now their fatall Anchors waye
ready to loose, I feele their great Cheifes scorne
which if foreseene I might perhapps have borne,
but now I make this one, this last request
you in this faythlesse man have interest
you know his gentlest tymes, and best can finde
what ways are open to encline his minde,
goe then, and use all pitty moving Art
and if you can, soften his harder heart,
not I att Aulis, did with Greece conspire
nor did I bring one brand to Illions fyer;
I never rent Anchises honored tombe,
why should he then, my sad Intreaties shunn
I doe not urge (as once) our Marriage ties
these sacred bondes, which now he doeth despise
nor that he would fayre Italie resigne
I only aske respite, and a breathing tyme
till my dejected mynd learne to complye
(taught by degrees) with soe great misery.