In captive Cymon found the friend he sought. The example pleased; the cause and crime the same; An injured lover, and a ravished dame. How much he durst he knew by what he dared; } The less he had to lose, the less he cared } To manage loathsome life when love was the reward. } This pondered well, and fixed on his intent, In depth of night he for the prisoner sent; In secret sent the public view to shun, Then with a sober smile he thus begun:-- The powers above, who bounteously bestow Their gifts and graces on mankind below, Yet prove our merit first, nor blindly give To such as are not worthy to receive: For valour and for virtue they provide Their due reward, but first they must be tried: These fruitful seeds within your mind they sowed; 'Twas yours to improve the talent they bestowed: 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. Thus far they tried you, and by proof they found The grain intrusted in a grateful ground: But still the great experiment remained, They suffered you to lose the prize you gained, That you might learn the gift was theirs alone; And, when restored, to them the blessing own. Restored it soon will be; the means prepared, The difficulty smoothed, the danger shared: Be but yourself, the care to me resign, Then Iphigene is yours, Cassandra mine. Your rival Pasimond pursues your life, Impatient to revenge his ravished wife, But yet not his; to-morrow is behind, And love our fortunes in one band has joined: Two brothers are our foes, Ormisda mine, As much declared as Pasimond is thine: To-morrow must their common vows be tied: } 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 performed, 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 grieved, I leave the laws behind. Speak thy resolves; if now thy courage droop, Despair in prison, and abandon hope; But if thou darest in arms thy love regain, (For liberty without thy love were vain,) Then second my design to seize the prey, Or lead to second rape, for well thou know'st the way. Said Cymon, overjoyed,--Do thou propose The means to fight, and only shew the foes: For from the first, when love had fired my mind, Resolved, I left the care of life behind.-- To this the bold Lysimachus replied,-- Let heaven be neuter, and the sword decide; The spousals are prepared, already play The minstrels, and provoke the tardy day: By this the brides are waked, their grooms are dressed; } All Rhodes is summoned to the nuptial feast, }