To justice liable, as law requir'd;

For, when his office ceas'd, his pow'r expir'd: 495
While pow'r remain'd, the means were in his hand
By force to seize, and then forsake the land:
Betwixt extremes he knew not how to move,
A slave to fame, but, more a slave to love:
Restraining others, yet himself not free,
Made impotent by pow'r, debas'd by dignity.
Both sides he weigh'd: but, after much debate,
The man prevail'd above the magistrate.

500

Love never fails to master what, he finds, But works a diff'rent way in diff'rent minds; The fool enlightens, and the wise he blinds. This youth, proposing to possess and scape, Began in murder, to conclude in rape: Unprais'd by me, though Heav'n sometime may

bless

510

An impious act with undeserv'd success :
The great it seems are privileg'd alone
To punish all injustice but their own.
But here I stop, not daring to proceed,
Yet blush to flatter an unrighteous deed:
For crimes are but permitted, not decreed. 515)
Resolv'd on force, his wit the prætor bent,
To find the means that might secure th' event;
Nor long he labour'd, for his lucky thought
In captive Cymon found the friend he sought;
Th' example pleas'd: the cause and crime the same;
An injur'd lover, and a ravish'd dame.

521

How much he durst he knew by what he dar'd;'
The less he had to lose, the less he car'd,

Το

manage
* loathsome life when love was the
reward.

526

This ponder'd well, and fix'd on his intent. In depth of night he for the pris❜ner sent; In secret sent, the public view to shun; Then, with a sober smile he thus begun. "The Pow'rs above, who bounteously bestow "Their gifts and graces on mankind below, 530 "Yet prove our merit first, nor blindly give "To such as are not worthy to receive : "For valor and for virtue they provide "Their due reward, but first they must be try'd : "These fruitful seeds within your mind they sow'd; " 'Twas yours t' improve the talent they bestow'd: "They gave you to be born of noble kind;

"They gave you love to lighten up your mind, "And purge the grosser parts; they gave you care “To please, and courage to deserve the fair. 540 "Thus far they try'd you, and by proof they found "The grain intrusted in a grateful' ground: "But still the great experiment remain'd; "They suffer'd you to lose the prize you gain'd,— "That you might learn the gift was theirs alone, "And, when restor❜d, to them the blessing own. "Restor❜d it soon will be; the means prepar'd, The difficulty smooth'd, the danger shar'd ;

* i. e. To preserve.

"Be but yourself; the care to me resign; "Then Iphigene is yours, Cassandra mine. 550 "Your rival Pasimond pursues your life, Impatient to revenge his ravish'd wife, "But yet not his: to-morrow is behind, "And love our fortunes in one band has join'd: "Two brothers are our foes; Ormisda mine, 555 "As much declar'd, as Pasimond is thine. "To-morrow must their common vows be ty'd:] "With love to friend, and fortune for our guide, "Let both resolve to die, or each redeem a bride. Right I have none, nor hast thou much to plead; "Tis force, when done, must justify the deed: "Our task perform'd, we next prepare for flight: "And let the losers talk in vain of right: "We with the fair will sail before the wind, "If they are griev'd, I leave the laws behind. 565 Speak thy resolves: if now thy courage droop, Despair in prison, and abandon hope:

་་

"But if thou dar'st in arms thy love regain ; "(For liberty without thy love were vain ;) "Then second my design to seize the prey, 570 "Or lead to second rape, for well thou know'st the

"way."

Said Cymon, overjoy'd; Do thou propose 'The means to fight, and only shew the foes: For from the first, when love had fir'd my mind,• Resolv'd, I left the care of life behind.'

575

To this, the bold Lysimachus reply'd,— "Let Heav'n be neuter; and, the sword decide;

"The spousals are prepar'd; already play
"The minstrels, and provoke the tardy day :
"By this the brides are wak'd, their grooms are
"dress'd;

"All Rhodes is summon'd to the nuptial feast,
"All but myself the sole unbidden guest.
"Unbidden though I am, I will be there,
"And join'd by thee, intend to joy the fair.
"Now hear the rest; when day resigns the light,
"And cheerful torches gild the jolly night,
"Be ready at my call; my chosen few, 587
"With arms administer'd, shall aid thy crew.
"Then, entering unexpected, will we seize
"Our destin'd prey, from men dissolv'd in ease,
By wine disabled, unprepar'd for fight;
591
"And, hast'ning to the seas, suborn our flight:
"The seas are ours, for I command the fort;
"A ship well-mann'd expects us in the port:
"If they, or if their friends, the prize contest,
"Death shall attend the man who dares resist."
It pleas'd. The pris'ner to his hold retir'd;
His troop, with equal emulation fir'd, 5980
All, fix'd to fight, and all their wonted work
requir'd.

602

The sun arose ; the streets were throng'd around :
The palace open'd; and the posts were crown'd.
The double bridegroom at the door attends
Th' expected spouse, and entertains the friends:
They met; they lead to church; the priests invoke
The Pow'rs, and feed the flames with fragrant smoke.
DRYDEN. VOL. V. N

607

This done, they feast; and, at the close of night,
By kindled torches vary their delight;
These lead the lively dance, and those the brim-
ming bowls invite.

Now, at th' appointed place and hour assign'd,
With souls resolv'd, the ravishers were join'd:
Three bands are form'd; the first is sent before
To favour the retreat, and guard the shore:
The second, at the palace-gate is plac'd:
And up the lofty stairs ascend the last ;

A peaceful troop they seem with shining vests, 615
But coats of mail, beneath, secure their breasts.
Dauntless they enter, Cymon at their head,
And find the feast renew'd, the table spread :
Sweet voices, mix'd with instrumental sounds,
Ascend the vaulted roof, the vaulted roof rebounds.
When, like the harpies, rushing through the hall
The sudden troop appears; the tables fall,
Their smoking load is on the pavement thrown;
Each ravisher prepares to seize his own:
The brides, invaded with a rude embrace,
Shriek out for aid, confusion fills the place.
Quick to redeem the prey their plighted lords
Advance, the palace gleams with shining swords.

But late is all defence; and, succour, vain;
The rape is made; the ravishers remain :
Two sturdy slaves were only sent before,

625

630

To bear the purchas'd prize, in safety to the shore.
The troop retires; the lovers close the rear,
With forward faces not confessing fear: