Oppressors big with pride, when she appear’d, Blush’d, and believ’d their greatness counterfeit; The lowly thought they them in vain had fear’d; Found virtue harmless, and nought else so great. Her mind (scarce to her feeble sex a-kin) Did as her birth, her right to empire show; Seem’d careless outward, when employ’d within; Her speech, like lovers watch’d, was kind and low. The court of Aribert could not want men of high rank and accomplishments to pay their devotions at such a shrine. Among these, “OSWALD the great, and greater GONDIBERT” moved in the most exalted sphere of renown. These noble personages are characterized and contrasted with so masterly a hand, that it would be an injury not to transcribe the whole. In courts, prince Oswald costly was and gay, Finer than near vain kings their fav’rites are! Outshin’d bright fav’rites on their nuptial day; Yet were his eyes dark with ambitious care. Duke Gondibert was still more gravely clad, But yet his looks familiar were, and clear; As if with ill to others never sad, Nor tow’rds himself could others practise fear. The Prince could, porpoise-like, in tempests play, And in court storms on ship-wreck’d greatness feed; Not frighted with their fate when cast away, But to their glorious hazards durst succeed. The Duke would lasting calms to courts assure, As pleasant gardens we defend from winds; For he who bus’ness would from storms procure, Soon his affairs above his manage finds. Oswald in throngs the abject people sought With humble looks; who still too late will know They are ambition’s quarry, and soon caught When the aspiring eagle stoops so low. The Duke did these by steady virtue gain; Which they in action more than precept taste; Deeds shew the good, and those who goodness feign By such ev’n through their vizards are outfac’t. Oswald in war was worthily renown’d; Though gay in courts, coarsely in camps could live; Judg’d danger soon, and first was in it found; Could toil to gain what he with ease did give. Yet toils and dangers through ambition lov’d, Which does in war the name of virtue own: But quits that name when from the war remov’d, As rivers theirs when from their channels gone. The Duke (as restless as his fame in war) With martial toil could Oswald weary make, And calmly do what he with rage did dare, And give so much as he might deign to take. Him as their founder cities did adore; The court he knew to steer in storms of state; In fields, a battle lost he could restore, And after force the victors to their fate.