Constantia: or, The Man of Law's Tale, Modernized from Chaucer - Part 4

While yet the Turk his early claim avow'd,
And ruled beneath his scepter, Judah bow'd;
A set of worthy wealthy merchants chose
The world for trade, and Sion for repose.
Here they select the gems of brightest rays,
Rich stuffs, wrought silks, and golden tissues blaze;
Thro' every climate, and to every gale,
They launch the cargo, and expand the sail:
Wide, with their name, their reputation grew,
And to their mart concurring chapmen drew.

The lure of novelty, and thirst of gain,
Now points their passage o'er the Midland-main;
The Tiber now their spumy keels divide,
And stem the flow of his descending tide.
To Rome, imperial Rome, the traders came;
Rome heard the voice of their preceding fame:
Free mart and splendid mansion she affords;
Joy crown'd their nights, and elegance their boards.

With mutual chat they gratify desire,
What's curious now relate, and now enquire;
Alike for knowledge, and for wealth they trade,
And are with usury in both repaid.
But Fame surprized them with a wonder new,
Beyond what times of brightest record drew,
The poet's fancy, or the lover's tongue;
And thus the Darling Excellence she sung.

To crown our monarch's age with fond delight,
His cares alleviate, and his toils requite,
Beyond whate'er paternal wish could crave,
Indulgent Heaven a peerless Infant gave:
The softer sex her beauteous body forms,
But her bright soul each manly virtue warms;
Youth without folly, greatness without pride,
And all that's firm to all that's sweet allied.
Rich as the land by sacred promise blest,
Lies the fair vale of her expanded breast;
Mild on a Parian pillar turns her head,
Her front, like Lebanon, divinely spread;
There sit the Chaste, the Placid, and the Meek,
And morn smiles fresh upon her open cheek.
Babes learn distinction at C ONSTANTIA 's sight,
And wither'd age revives to strange delight;
Tumultuous wishes breathe along her way,
Hands rise, tongues bless, and centering eyes survey;
All run to bend the voluntary knee,
The blind to hear her, and the deaf to see.
Ah! were she born to universal sway,
How gladly would the willing world obey?
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