HARPAGUS

Though all that indenized in this Vale Walk here confined within this fertile Round, And are tapestred with this azure Pale, T'adore the gods by many means are bound. Yet there are some particularly, I find, Whose names are written in their dearest scrolls, Whom extraordinary favours bind, Even to prefer them to their very Souls. Of which (Sir) you are one, your deeds declare, Of you amid innumerable broils, Even from your cradle they have had a care, And led you safe through all your greatest toils. Though of the dangers of your youth I see The thought no more with grief your mind importunes; Yet I think on who had the hap to be And Actor in your Tragick-Comick Fortune's. Who would not wonder at thy wondrous Fate, Whose ruin ere thy Birth appeared conspired? Who unbegun, seemed to expire that date, Which now begun, shall never be expired. Your Mother first her Sire with cares did sting, While as he dreamt, which yet his soul confounds, That from her womb there did a Vine-tree spring, Which did overshadow all great Asia's bounds. Then to the Magies strait he gave in charge, To try what this strange Vision did presage, Who having studied their dark Art at large, Gave this response with a prophetic rage. That once his Daughter should bring forth a Son, For glorious Acts exceedingly renowned, By whom empire of Asia should be won; By whom his Grandfather should be uncrowned. This to Astiages a terror bred, Who labouring to annul the heavens decree, Advised as best his Daughter for to wed T'a powerless stranger, but of base degree. Then of Cambyses he by chance made choice, And for his barbarous Countries cause the rather, Whom by your birth the Princess did rejoice, And further then before affright her Father. Thus tyranny by feeble sprites begun, Does force the Parents in despair to fallen, A dastard to attempt, proud having won, Which being feared of all, does still fear all. And tyrants no security can find, For every shadow frights a guilty mind. This Monarch, whom scarce Armies could surprise, Whom gallant Guards and stately Courts delighted, Who triumphd over earth, threatened the Skies, A Babe scarce born, come of himself, affrighted. And while Lucina the last help did make, As if some ugly Monster had been born, A Minotoure, a Centaur or a Snake, The world's terror, and the Mother's scorn. The Nephews birth, that would have seemed t'impart Unto the Grandfather great cause of joys, As if the naked hand had pierced his heart, Did wind him in a maze of sad annoys. And to prevent a but suspected spite, By giving and occasion of joust hate, He sought by robbing you the newfound Light, To make your birth and burial of one date. Soon after this he sent for me in hast, Whom at that time (and not in vain) he loved, Then showed me all the circumstances passed, Wherewith his marble mind seemed nothing moved: Out of the which, as he would let me know, All compliments of pity were not blotted, He would this superficial favour show, Not with your blood to have his own hands spotted. Thus having lulled asleep the conscience, still The wicked would extenuate their crimes, Not knowing those that but allow of ill, Are Actors in effect, guilty all times. Yet with his fault he would have burdened me, And willed that I and Innocent should slay, I promised to perform his rash decree, Well weighing whom, but not wherein obey. When I had parted from his Highness face, And carried you (then swaddled) with me too, Through apprehended horror of my case, I stood perplexed and wist not what to do. Necessity took place, I wailed with tears Untimely funerals (as I thought) or you My soul confounded with a swarm of fears Did with sad sighs my message disallow. Yet him I send a servant of mine own, Who for the time was Herdsman to the King, To whom I made all my commission known, But as direct to him showed every thing. Delivering you with and unwilling breath, Then with a mantle of pure gold arrayed, I threatened him with many a cruel death, If that your death were any way delayed. Straight for to execute th'intended doom, He from my sighed did all astonished go: Too great a charge for such a simple groom, The show of Majesty amazed him so. Oh what a wonder is't for to behold, Th'vnfailing providence of powerful Jove, Whose brazen edicts can not be controlled, Firm are the statutes of the states above. That mortal whom immortals favour shields, No worldly force is able to confound, He may securely walk through dangers fields, Times and occasions are t'attend him bound. For lo before the Herdsman was come home, His wife of a dead burden was delivered, Who wondered so to see her Husband come, That with a secret terror faintly shivered. She straight grew curious for to know the form How he a Babe so beautiful obtained, Who did her suddenly of all inform, And to what cruelty he was constrained. See quickly then occasion to embrace, No doubt inspired by some celestial pour, Prayed him t'expose her dead child in your place, Yet where no beasts repaired him to devour: So shall we have (says she) a double gain, Our offspring shall receive a stately tomb, And we a princely infant, to remain Still nursed with us as th'issue of my womb. The Husband liked so well his Wives intent, That all what she affected he effected, And soon I had one of my household sent, To try if all were done as was directed: He seeing the babe dead, dead in that weed, With that rich funeral furniture about him, Told what the fellow told, and I indeed Reposed on his report, for who could doubt him? In end, Time posting with houre-feth'red wings, Had given you strength with others of your years, You passed the time, not nephews unto Kings, But for that time admitted for your peers. They fail, call Fortune blind, she sighed bewrayed, And your authority by lot enlarged, In pasturall sports who still the sceptre swayed, And as but born for that, that best discharged. Then with the other children as it chanced, A noble man of Medea's son remained, Who swollen with envy to see you advanced, Your childish charge with scornful words disdained. You spighting at that proud attempt of his, Did punish him as it became a Prince: I doubt now (Sir) if that you think on this, The rest of rashness did your deed convince. I'll raise a Piramide of Croesus spoils, Where all their famous parts shall be comprised, But how t'insist in these tumultuous broils, T'is best now (Sir) that you were well advised. Your adversary does attend your will, This haughty city humbled hath her crest, And therefore go to pardon, or to kill, To save, or sack, even as you shall think best. The father of the child informed the King How such a baseborn boy abused his son, And caused and Esquire straightway you to bring, To suffer for the fault that you had done. And when the King accused you in his sighed, As the presumptuous brat of a base clown, You boldly did maintain that you had right To scourge one that rebelled against your crown. The King astonished at th'imperious words Of one so magnanimous, and so young, Does pause awhile, and straightway he records, That you were you, and I had done him wrong. The tortour to the Net-heard was presented, Who soon for fear confessed (Oh sudden change) The King as seemed exceedingly contented, Sent one for me to hear the tidings strange. And as he had good cause, in show delighted, Did for a solemn Sacrifice prepare, And me as his most special guest invited, Who with my son did straight to Court repair. When light was banished by nights shadowy sable, The candles by his forfeit taking place, They served me with my sons flesh at the table, Then did upbraid me with his bloodless face. What anguish, or what rage overflowed my soul, A loving father may imagine best, Yet at that time I did my rage control, But laid it up for ever in my breast. Lo how those wretches that the heavens would wrack Are spoiled of judgement: that proud Tyrant offered The charge to me not thinking I would take A high revenge for th'iniurie I suffered, Which was so deeply rooted in my heart, My countries thraldom, and mine own disgrace, And all the horrors that death could impart, Seemed nought to me so my disdain took place. That was the first beginning of your glory, Which since hath been augmented by degrees, And which by time may breed so brave a story, As may be precious in all Princes eyes. No doubt that dame this trouble hardly bears, Who only seemed for him account of life: I herd him while she bathed his Coach with tears, Wish to prove worthy of so rare a wife. When their farewell was sealed, last speeches spent, She kissed the Coach that did contain her trust, And with eyes big with pearl gazed where he went, Still till her sighed was choked with clouds of dust.