Page:Gondibert, an heroick poem - William Davenant (1651).djvu/287

20.
And now cold Birtha's rosie looks decay;
 Who in Fear's Frost had like her beauty dy'd,
But that Attendant Hope perswades her stay
 A while, to hear her Duke, who thus reply'd:

21.
Victorious King! Abroad your Subjects are
 Like Legats safe, at home like Altars free!
Ev'n by your fame they conquer as by war;
 And by your Laws safe from each other be.

22.
A King you are ore Subjects, so as wise
 And noble Husbands seem ore Loyal Wives;
Who claim not, yet confess their liberties,
 And brag to strangers of their happy lives.

23.
To Foes a winter storm; whilst your Friends bow
 Like Summer Trees, beneath your bounty's load;
To me (next him whom your great self, with low
 And chearfull duty serves) a giving God.

24.
Since this is you, and Rhodalind (the Light
 By which her Sex fled virtue find) is yours;
Your Diamond, which tests of jealous sight,
 The stroke, and fire, and Oisel's juice endures;

25.
Since she so precious is, I shall appear
 All counterfeit, of Art's disguises made;
And never dare approach her Lustre near;
 Who can scarce hold my value in the shade.

26.
Forgive me that I am not what I seem;
 But falsly have dissembled an excess
Of all such virtues as you most esteem;
 And now grow good but as I ills confess.

Far