The heroical lover, or, Antheon and Fidelta a poem / written by Thomas Bancroft.

THE HEROICAL LOVER. (Book 6)

CANTO VI. (Book 6)

The Argument.

The Gallant now his Scene doth lay In Sicily, and on the Sea Rescues a Knight from wrackful waves; On land a Ladies honour saves.

AS those that of clear Phoebus did enquire About obscure events, of their desire Did sometimes fail, and doubtful went away▪ So though the Knight consulted night and day

With wise experienc'd Eubulus, yet he Could finde but little ground of certainty To fix his thoughts upon, nor well did know Where next he should his wonted paines bestow. At last, resolv'd he was to range the fields Of Sicily, and try what worth that yields; An Isle that in the mid-land Sea doth lye, As vertue stands in mediocrity. For loves and warres it sometimes famous was, And still its fellow-Islands doth surpass In things of note: the men ingenious are; The women, like to wood-Nymphs, sweet & faire: And 't was presum'd, because the people spend Much paines in fields (which Poets did intend, Who feign'd that Saturne hid bis sickle there) The currents of their lives did run more cleare From vicious taints, than others idly spent; And worthy persons did the coast frequent. Besides, whereas long since, to plant that Isle, People (invited by its wealthy soile) From Corinth, Sparta, Athens, flocking came, And other Cities of high worth and fame; 'Twas credible their vertues would not be Extinct, but shine yet in their progeny. These things wel weigh'd, Sir Antheon & his friend, Who to make proofe thereof did now intend, In a fair ship lancht forth; that (as ore-joy'd To be by persons of prime worth emploi'd,)

While the winds whistled, on the waters danc't, An•• forwards with auspicious course advanc't, Passing by sundry Islands famous made By Poets, that therein their Scenes had laid. But when of Sicily they came in sight, The aire grew turbid, and the winds did fight, Whirling about with such a threatful sound, As they forthwith the vessell would have drown'd; As the like mischiefe they had lately done To a tost Barke that on a rock did runne. It was a Ship wherein a youthful Knight Of Malta sail'd; that in this others sight Was dasht upon the hard and craggy side Of Scylla (which wise Sea-men most avoid,) And with th' allision split and shatter'd sore, As all her barking Dogges the Barke had tore. So have I known a globe of snow to roll Down from a hill-top, all compact and whole, Till some hard obstacle it met, but fly In pieces then, and wildly scatter'd lye. All perisht in the shipwracke save the Knight, Who full of caution and of motion light, Into the ship-boat leapt, enforc't t' obey False winds, that turning straight another way, Drove him to deep despaire; who now did flote Near to Charybdis, whose vast gulfy throat Had quickly swallow'd him, but that our brave Heroick Lover, vent' 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to save

The wretched Passenger (that seem'd to be A person of some eminent degree) Drew him into his vessel, interpos'd, And him from straits of horrid danger los'd, Banisht his baleful woes, and lively joyes Recall'd into his death-expecting eyes: Soone as the bellowing surges of the Maine Grew tamely silent, and the Heavens serene, So that they well could into Harbour get, Our Knight on shore his now-call'd brother set, VVith wine refresht him, waftage did provide, And all things for his voyage fit beside; Giving him cause in Malta to proclaime His noble favours, and divulge his fame. Thither he went; but not before he show'd What services for a sav'd life he ow'd; Debts which he would with speaking heart agnize, And gage for payment all his faculties. Of all strange things that Travellers admire In Sicily, there's none like Aetna's fire, That (unextinct) hath burn'd from age to age, And sometimes with such high impetuous rage, That, belching out flames, cinders, ashes, smoke, It threatned wholly to ore-whelme and choke That Island, striking all the rest with fear Lest the worlds conflagration now were neare. The hill was less incensed at this time, Giving the sprightfull Gallant leave to climbe

Its steep and rocky sides, & to survey Some chinkes and clefts thorough which the wind makes way Into its bowlls, and like bellowes blowes The fire therein, that without ceasing glowes, As being with stuff combustible supply'd, Which Nature there does plenteously provide. Then came he to the place where some did say Empedocles his iron slippers lay, Thrown out 'oth' furnace, after he had cast Himself into the flame, and breath'd his last; Thus stealing out o'th' world, to seeme to be Deathless, and honour'd as some Deity. This mov'd the Knights inseparable friend To fall int' a discourse o'th' fatal end Of blindly-bold ambition, and to tell With how great danger it doth upward swell; How (like to smoke) it doth obliquely rise, But falls directly from high dignities; How Giant-like it 'gainst the Gods doth go, And under proud feet layes Religion low; Stickes not to violate with impious hands Of blood or amity the strictest bands; Subverts well-founded governments, with Fate (As 't were) conspiring all to ruinate. When now 'bout objects much to be admir'd, They rather had their limbs, than senses, tir'd, Down went they from the Mountain to the Plain, Whose bounteous soile glads Italy and Spain,

Malta and Barbary, with rich supplies Of graine, the welcom'st of commodities. Led on by sweet Affects, the way they found To Syracuse, a City much renown'd By Maro's Muse, who thither did re••ort, Preferring it sometimes to Caesars court, It was against great Romes ambitious wrong By God-like Archimed defended long; Who seem'd at threatning ships to hurle at once Fierce lightning-flames and fulminary stones, So that th' astonisht Victor gave command That none should 'gainst that Artist heave his hand; Who yet i'th' tumult 'mongst his figures found, VVas soone disfigur'd by a deadly wound. This caus'd Sir Antheon his sepulchral stone With teare-shot eyes to view, and look thereon For the Cylinder and the Sphere he made; Desiring oft ere Natures debt he paid, To have them figur'd on his tombe, to show VVhat to his industry the world did owe. The Knight now having seene what worthy was Of observation there, did forwards pass, Minded to see the place where Poets say The Stygian Monarch pluckt Proserpina Into his iron coach and hurrying fast, A veile of shades about her beauties cast: Seiz'd neare to Enna was this gallant prize, VVhere the fair Islands very navell lyes;

A medow stor'd with flowers so odorous, That snuffing Hounds do in its bosome lose The sents of beasts pursu'd; about it round, Tufted with neat trees is the rising ground, And nourisht with coole waters, gather'd nigh, As 't were t' admire a gaping vastity In rockes adjoyning; into which (they say) Pluto in triumph rode, yet lost the day; Black night advancing from her drowsy seat To welcome him, and on his Queen to wait. Nat far beyond these wonderments, that might Retard his motion, travell'd had the Knight; But that (as if lusts wild-fires fatally Rag'd in that coast) a wronged Ladies Cry Sent from the Concave of a valley neare, Did with amazement strike his listning eare. She being fresh as May, of lineage high, And wealth beyond the most in Sicily, Had oft been seen, attended by her Maid Alone, to walke there in the pleasing shade; And (as it were) the Wood-Nymphs steps to trace Into a mossy Cave, a pretty space From her high-seated Mansion: That had mov'd A bruitish Don, that wealth and woman lov'd B'ove fame or honesty, in wait to lye To win her by surprize, and forcibly Take her to wife, that so enjoy he might A beauty rare, a fortune infinite.

That this rude wickedness might then be wrought, Three Ruffians (wild as Boreas sons) he brought With him; and now they had the trembling Prey Amongst them, and were forcing her away. But brave Sir Antheon having got a view ('Mongst shady bushes) of that salvage crew, Cast where t' assaile them with his b••andisht blade, And that so closely, as they did invade The noble Lady; whom he either wou'd Rescue out of their hands, or spend his blood. And Eubulus, although more fit to give Grave counsels and instruction how to live, Than deadly tooles to wield, did yet advance Bravely with sword in hand, and forward prance. These suddenly, as from an ambush, met Those worst of Thieves, where ere they well could set The Lady down, their champion to the ground VVas brought, engoared with a gastly wound; The Knights keen weapon soon asunder shred The sinews of his neck, and laid his head Upon his shoulder, there a sleep to take Than night more heavy, never more to wake. The like did Eubulus, his sword ore-took Another, as he turn'd his head to look At's gasping Mate; the steel stook in his jaw, And being forced thence, did rudely draw His sh••tter'd teeth; so fell he likewise down From his chaf't Steed, and das••t his hairy crown

'Gainst the hard earth. Those other two that saw Such deadly slashing, quickly did withdraw, And fled Sir Autheons force, who them a while Pursu'd, but thought it fitter to recoil To a fair Lady, than foul varlets chace, VVhose brutish courses mankind did disgrace. He found her almost where he left her, so Empalsied with affrights, she scarce could go; Her blood being like to Niobe's when grown Stone-cold she was, & scarce from marble known. But his warm hand (who was all love, all fire,) Gently embalming hers, did soon inspire Her veins with hea••, and made her spirits from Their sad Retreat with lively motion come. His softer language too her inward pain Much eas'd, and rosy tinctures fetcht again Into her cheeks; as when dim clouds away Are blown, clear Heaven more beauties doth dis∣play•• Thus comforted, he usher'd her along Unto her home, and ••et her safe among Her dearest friends who hearing, what was done. Shed tears for joy (like rain by th' shining Sun Fairely embrighten'd) striving to express To her all love, to him all thankfulness. And as Aetolian Ach••lous flow'd VVith bounty towards some that had bestow'd Their paines to chace the Calydonian Beast, Perithous, Lelex, Theseus, at the least:

So strove thi•• noble Ladyes worthy f••iends To make the Knight and Eubulus amends VVith royall entertainment, for their high Merit, and most obliging courtesy. The bounty of the house was full and free, Yet could not work upon the constancy Of brave Sir Antheon, there to fix his mind; For that another Lady (though disjoyn'd In place) was linkt to him with lines of love, Which, howsoere extended, firme would prove. To seek that sweetning Object of desire (Which finde he would, or finally expire.) Thence hasts he to Palermo, that a thin Phoenician Colonie had sometime bin; But by additions grew so stately great And populous, that 'tis a princely seat; A City of such eminence and fame, As may some soveraignty o're others claime: Faire streets, brave structures, rich magnificence Of Temples, give the place preeminence; Which yet had worthier been its head to reare With honour, if Fidelta had been there. But none there knew her, no•• had winged Fame Wasted the pleasing sweetness of her name Into those parts▪ which caus'd the pensive Knight To look on Beauties there with small delight, But ••ull to travel on, in mind to try The close of a true Lovers destiny.

The next place where he did some dayes reside, Messina was; whose gates stood open wide, As in derision of the Turks proud threats, Who oft for prizes near that Haven waites. There such pure noble liquour did he tast, As caus'd Augustus to forget his past Sorrowes; & with the Knight wrought so a while: But shortly did his discontents recoile, And sadly did he fold his armes, when there No newes he could of rare Fidelta heare. Other fair Cities made he with his love Acquainted, but like Fortune still did prove, Finding the peoples greater part to be Light, vaine, and void of solid constancy; So that it seem'd impertinent to spend Much time in such an Isle for such an end As he design'd; yet howsoere he staid A while, as disappointed, not dismaid.