Upon their smiling leaves, and gilds them so; 120 Like bright Aurora, whose refulgent ray Foretells the fervour of ensuing day, And warns the shepherd with his flocks retreat To leafy shadows from the threaten'd heat. From Cupid's string, of many shafts that fled Wing'd with those plumes which noble Fame had shed, As through the wond'ring world she flew, and told Of his adventures, haughty, brave, and bold, Some had already touch'd the royal maid, But Love's first summons seldom are obey'd; 130 Light was the wound, the Prince's care unknown, She might not, would not, yet reveal her own. His glorious name had so possess'd her ears, That with delight those antique tales she hears Of Jason, Theseus, and such worthies old, As with his story best resemblance hold. And now she views, as on the wall it hung, What old Musæus so divinely sung; Which art with life and love did so inspire, That she discerns and favours that desire, 140 Which there provokes th'advent'rous youth to swim, And in Leander's danger pities him; Whose not new love alone, but fortune, seeks To frame his story like that amorous Greek's. For from the stern of some good ship appears A friendly light, which moderates their fears; New courage from reviving hope they take, And climbing o'er the waves that taper make, On which the hope of all their lives depends, As his on that fair Hero's hand extends. 150 The ship at anchor, like a fixed rock, Breaks the proud billows which her large sides knock; Whose rage restrainèd, foaming higher swells, And from her port the weary barge repels, Threat'ning to make her, forcèd out again, Repeat the dangers of the troubled main. Twice was the cable hurl'd in vain; the Fates Would not be movèd for our sister states; For England is the third successful throw, And then the genius of that land they know, 160 Whose prince must be (as their own books devise) Lord of the scene where now his danger lies. Well sung the Roman bard, 'All human things Of dearest value hang on slender strings.' Oh, see the then sole hope, and, in design Of Heaven, our joy, supported by a line! Which for that instant was Heaven's care above The chain that's fixèd to the throne of Jove, On which the fabric of our world depends; One link dissolved, the whole creation ends. 170 [1] 'St. Andero': St. Andrews. He had newly abandoned his suit for the Infanta.-- [2] 'Arion sings': Alluding to the deliverance of Charles I., on his return from Spain, from a violent storm in the Bay of Biscay, October 1623. [3] 'Sort': a company. [4] 'Adventurous son': Phaeton. [5] Henrietta, afterwards Queen. [6] Venus. OF HIS MAJESTY'S RECEIVING THE NEWS OF THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM'S