Page:Poems upon Several Occasions.djvu/149

To shelter Innocence, and injur'd Right,
The Nations all elect some Patron-Knight,
Sworn to be true to Love, and Slaves to Fame,
And many a valiant Chief enrols his Name;
By shining Marks distinguish'd they appear,
And various Orders various Ensigns bear.
Bound by strict Oaths, to serve the brightest Eyes,
Not more they strive for Glory than the Prize;
While, to invite the Toil, the fairest Dame
Of Britain, is the boldest Champion's Claim.

Del. Of all who in this Race of Fame delight,
Brave Amadis is own'd the hardy'st Knight.
Nor Theseus, nor Alcides, ventur'd more,$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$
Nor he so fam'd, who, bath'd in Monster's Gore,
Upon his crested Helm the trampled Dragon bore.

Urg. O mighty Amadis! what Thanks are due
To thy victorious Sword, that Ardan slew?
Ardan, that black Enchanter, whose dire Arts
Enslav'd our Knights, and broke our Virgins Hearts,
Met Spear to Spear, thy great deliv'ring Hand
Slew the Destroyer, and redeem'd the Land;
Far from thy Breast all Care and Grief remove,
Oriana's thine, by Conquest as by Love.

Del. The haughty Arcabon, of Ardan's Blood,
And Arcaläus, Foes alike to Good,
Gluttons in Murder, wanton to destroy,
Their fatal Arts as impiously employ: