14 Forgive me that I am not what I seem; 15 Far in ambition's fever am I gone! Like raging flame aspiring is my love; Like flame destructive too, and, like the sun, Does round the world tow'rds change of objects move. 16 Nor is this now through virtuous shame confessed; But Rhodalind does force my conjured fear, As men whom evil spirits have possessed, 17 When she will grace the bridal dignity, It will be soon to all young monarchs known; Who then by posting through the world will try Who first can at her feet present his crown. 18 Then will Verona seem the inn of kings, Smile, when great love these royal suitors brings; 19 Amongst this ruling race she choice may take 20 A prince who more enlarges power than lands, Whose greatness is not what his map contains; But thinks that his where he at full commands, Not where his coin does pass, but power remains. VOL. II. K 145 21 'Who knows that power can never be too high When by the good possessed, for 'tis in them The swelling Nile, from which though people fly, They prosper most by rising of the stream. 22 Thus, princes, you should choose; and you will find, 23 Such was the Duke's reply; which did produce 24 Birtha his praise of Rhodalind bewails; 25 The King (secure in offered empire) takes This forced excuse as troubled bashfulness, 26 And Rhodalind, who never loved before, Nor could suspect his love was given away, 27 To hasten the rewards of his desert, The King does to Verona him command; 28 Yet whilst the King does now his time dispose Who of their wounds are yet not perfect grown. 29 And by this fair pretence, whilst on the King 30 'Why should my storm your life's calm voyage vex? Destroying wholly virtue's race in one: So by the first of my unlucky sex, All in a single ruin were undone. 31 Make heavenly Rhodalind your bride! whilst I, 32 'Let me her servant be: a dignity, Which if your pity in my fall procures, 33 Ere this high sorrow up to dying grew, The Duke the casket opened, and from thence, 34 The thirtieth caract it had doubled twice; 35 Nor yet of those which make the Ethiop proud; Nor taken from those rocks where Bactrians climb: But from the Scythian, and without a cloud; Not sick at fire, nor languishing with time. 36 Then thus he spake: 'This, Birtha, from my male Progenitors, was to the loyal she On whose kind heart they did in love prevail, The nuptial pledge, and this I give to thee: 37 'Seven centuries have passed, since it from bride To bride did first succeed; and though 'tis known 38 'Though much renowned because it chastens loves, 39 Though emeralds serve as spies to jealous brides, Yet each compared to this does counsel keep; Like a false stone, the husband's falsehood hides, Or seems born blind, or feigns a dying sleep. 40 With this take Orgo, as a better spy, Who may in all your kinder fears be sent By making this to fade, and you lament.' 41 Had now an artful pencil Birtha drawn, With grief all dark, then straight with joy all light, 42 Or first he must have marked what paleness fear, 43 Her joys, too vast to be contained in speech, Thus she a little spake: Why stoop you down, My plighted lord, to lowly Birtha's reach, Since Rhodalind would lift you to a crown? 44 'Or why do I, when I this plight embrace, 45 And as towards heaven all travel on their knees, 46 If I forget the depth from whence I rise, Far from your bosom banished be my heart; 47 But thus ascending from your humble maid 48 And fruitfully, if heaven e'er make me bring |