So checking his desire, with trembling heart 210
Gazing he stood, nor could nor would depart;
Fix'd, as a pilgrim wilder'd in his way,
Who dares not stir by night, for fear to stray,

But stands with awful eyes to watch the dawn of
day.

At length awaking, Iphigene the fair

215 (So was the beauty call'd who caus'd his care) Unclos'd her eyes, and double day reveal'd, While those of all her slaves in sleep were seal'd. The slav'ring cudden, propp'd upon his staff, Stood ready, gaping, with a grinning laugh, 220 To welcome her awake; nor durst begin' To speak, but wisely kept the fool within. Then she; "What makes you, Cymon, here alone?"> (For Cymon's name was round the country known, Because descended of* a noble race, 225

And for a soul ill sorted with his face.)

230

But still the sot stood silent with surprize, With fix'd regard on her new-open'd eyes; And in his breast receiv'd th' envenom'd dart, A tickling pain that pleas'd amid the smart. But, conscious of her form, with quick distrust She saw his sparkling eyes, and fear'd his brutal lust; This to prevent, she wak'd her sleepy crew; And, rising hasty, took a short adieu.

Then Cymon first his rustic voice essay'd, 235 With proffer'd service to the parting maid

* For high descent drawn from, might improve the con

struction.

To see her safe; his hand she long deny'd,
But took at length, asham'd of such a guide.
So Cymon led her home, and leaving there,
No more would to his country clowns repair, 240
But sought his father's house, with better mind,
Refusing in the farm to be confin'd.

The father wonder'd at the son's return,
And knew not whether to rejoice or mourn;
But doubtfully receiv'd, expecting still

245

To learn the secret causes of his alter'd will.
Nor was he long delay'd: the first request
He made, was like his brothers to be dress'd,
And, as his birth requir'd, above the rest.
With ease his suit was granted by his sire, 250
Distingushing his heir by rich attire:

His body thus adorn'd, he next design'd
With liberal arts to cultivate his mind:
He sought a tutor of his own accord,
And study'd lessons he before abhorr'd.

255

Thus the man-child advanc'd, and learn'd so fast, That in short time his equals he surpass'd: His brutal manners from his breast exil'd, His mien he fashion'd, and his tongue he fil'd; In every exercise of all admir'd;

260

He seem'd, nor only seem'd, but was inspir'd-
Inspir'd by love, whose business is to please;
He rode, he fenc'd, he mov'd with graceful ease,
More fam'd for sense, for courtly carriage moe,
Than for his brutal folly known before.

265

What then of alter'd Cymon shall we say, But that the fire which, choak'd in ashes, lay, A load too heavy for his soul to move,

Was upward blown below, and brush'd away by love? Love made an active progress through his mind ; The dusky parts he clear'd; the

gross, refin'd; The drowsy, wak'd; and, as he went, impress'd The Maker's image on the human breast.

Thus was the man amended by desire,

And though he lov'd, perhaps, with too much

fire,

His father all his faults with reason scann'd,
And lik'd an error of the better hand;
Excus'd th' excess of passion in his mind,
By flames too fierce, perhaps too much refin'd:
So Cymon, since his sire indulg'd his will,
Impetuous lov'd, and would be Cymon still;
Galesus he disown'd, and chose to bear

275

280

The name of fool, confirm'd, and bishop'd by the fair.

285

To Cipseus, by his friends, his suit he mov❜d, Cipseus the father of the fair he lov’d: But he was pre-engag'd by former ties, While Cymon was endeav'ring to be wise : And Iphigene, oblig'd by former vows, Had given her faith to wed a foreign spouse: Her sire and she to Rhodian Pasimond, Though both repenting, were by promise, bound, Nor could retract; and thus, as fate decreed, Though better lov'd, he spoke too late to speed.

290

The doom was past; the ship, already sent,

Did all his tardy diligence prevent:

295

Sigh'd to herself the fair unhappy maid,
While stormy Cymon thus in secret said:

"The time is come for Iphigene to find
"The miracle she wrought upon my mind:

"Her charms have made me man; her ravish'd love "In rank shall place me with the bless'd above. "For, mine by love, by force she shall be mine; "Or death, if force should fail, shall finish my design."

Resolv'd he said; and rigg'd with speedy care
A vessel strong, and well-equipp'd for war.
The secret ship with chosen friends he stor❜d;
And, bent to die or conquer, went aboard.
Ambush'd he lay behind the Cyprian shore,
Waiting the sail that all his wishes bore ;
Nor long expected, for the following tide
Sent out the hostile ship and beauteous bride.

305

310

To Rhodes the rival bark directly steer'd,
When Cymon sudden at her back * appear'd,
And stopp'd her flight: then, standing on his prow,
In haughty terms he thus defy'd the foe;
Or strike your sails at summons, or prepare
To prove the last extremities of war.

Thus warn'd, the Rhodians for the fight provide
Already were the vessels side by side,

These obstinate to save,

315

and those to seize the bride.

* Stern.

But Cymon soon his crooked grapples cast, 321)
Which, with tenacious hold, his foes embrac'd;
And, arm'd with sword and shield, amid the press
he pass'd.

325

Fierce was the fight; but, hastening to his prey,
By force the furious lover freed his way:
Himself, alone, dispers'd the Rhodian crew,
The weak disdain'd, the valiaut overthrew ;
Cheap conquest for his following friends remain'd,
He reap'd the field, and they but only glean'd.

330

His victory confess'd, the foes retreat, And cast their weapons at the victor's feet. Whom thus he cheer'd: "O Rhodian youth! I "fought

"For love alone; nor other booty sought: "Your lives are safe; your vessel I resign; "Yours be your own, restoring what is mine: 335 "In Iphigene I claim my rightful due, "Robb'd by my rival, and detain'd by you: "Your Pasimond a lawless bargain drove, "The parent could not sell the daughter's love ; "Or, if he could, my love disdains the laws, 340 "And like a king by conquest gains his cause: "Where arms take place, all other pleas are vain; "Love taught me force, and force shall love "maintain :

"You, what by strength you could not keep, release, "And at an easy ransom buy your peace." 345

Fear on the conquer'd side soon sign'd th' accord,

And Iphigene to Cymon was restor❜d: