html.skin-theme-clientpref-night @media(prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os }As this fam'd Progress these great Hero's take,
Blaz'd by the hasty flights, that rumours make;
Who thus to London with swift joyes resort,
And fair Bonduca with glad tydings court.
To whom our Princes now their Journey hast,
Grieving its stately order time should wast;
Each wishing first, their joyes, and deeds to tell,
That gladly would to her in worth excel.
Whose Grace, and Beauty they discourse, the while
Times tedious minutes softly to beguile;
And so concern'd, her bright attractions name,
As if they burn'd, e'r they approach'd the flame.
Not long the Sun left his Meridian line,
His Ev'ning Hemisphæres bright course to shine;
But these great Heroes London Towers behold,
That out-shin'd Parian works, adorn'd with Gold.
Such Architects, (if Fames Records speak true:)
Did then this Cities stately Structures shew?
Which by times hand in ruines lie forgot,
Whose choicest Copies its own Pencils blot.
More near approach'd, they Glor'ous Troops descry,
That soon declare Bonduca's Presence nigh;
Which the choice Flower of Brittish youth compleat,
In whom the Charms of Mars, and Venus meet.
Favonius does their shining Leader come,
Glorious, in Londons late Conflicts with Rome;
Where he by dangers did the Queen relieve,
For which, high praise to him the Princes give:
Next Brittish Nobles of Illustrious Race,
In War renown'd, or Publick Councils grace;
Here to the Queen their great Attendance pay,
While she, the glory of this mighty Day,
Rides on a Snow-white Steed, Nature design'd,
The lovely wonder of his beauteous kind;
Whom richest Trappings to his feet adorn,
More pleas'd by him this glorious Guide is borne;
Raising his lofty Crest with stately pride,
Each step he takes, her gentle hand does guide.
And next the Virgin Beauties of her Crown,
(As Waiting Graces) circle near her own;
Who like some Gemm in studs of Jewels set,
Does their bright lusters from her own compleat.
Whose Robes, though splendent, shew their frail excess,
Whom Nature in her choice Attires did dress;
That Art her Beauties fruitlesly adorn,
As what can deck the glorious Spring, or Morn.
And thus appears the Presence of this Queen,
With such amazement, by the Princes seen;
As they a while by deepest wonders speak,
How much her lusters their impressions make.
Who now, as guilty of a beauteous fear,
That Love from her bright charms should darts pre∣pare;
Stayes with a blush, before she can express,
How much she joyes their Presence, and success.
And thus with gracious modesty begins,
What Heaven inflicts on our Foes impious sins,
The means great Princes in your valour's shown,
Which Brittain must eternally renown.
What! (but your Conduct,) Romans could subdue,
Who made the World their fatal Conquests rue?
And harrass'd long our Countrey by Wars toyles,
Triumphing with our captive Kings, and spoyles?
Or what could eager Gauls, (we more abhorre;)
Have thus reduc'd, but that you led our war?
To which my Crown, and more my self I owe,
Redeem'd from Ennius, and Alvatrix too.
This said, the Princes, by apt words declare
How much they joy their Conduct in this warr,
Reliev'd her City, and what's valu'd more,
Oblig'd her Virtues, they so much adore:
Which must for ever live upon her Name,
And from her Glory, give her Sex a Fame;
Whom Foes unconquer'd by their Armes did prove,
And what is more their Fate, despiz'd their Love.
And as great Victors to some Shrine address
The Spoils, and Trophies of their fam'd success;
Thus to the Queen they conquer'd Glories vow,
And make Loves Zeal, Faiths sacred Rival too.
Here Gums Arabick Trees in drops distill,
As common liquors vastest measures fill;
With heaps of Silk of choicest Tyrian Dye,
That deck'd their Tents, and Beds of Ivory.
Next these, huge Carkanets of Gems betray
The Jewel'd Tributes, which the East did pay;
Who, as Romes Slaves, their bowell'd wealth explore,
And drown for Pearls, that pav'd their conquer'd Shoar.
Which, as if Nature had her Treasures glean'd,
Or else the Earth alone, for Rome maintain'd;
Threatn'd to ruine her luxurious store,
And with the subdu'd world, her self keep poor.
The Queen with wonder having view'd these spoils;
Highly renowns the Princes matchless toils;
And thinks this present, at their valours price,
Too much the glory of her Sacrifice.
Then from her Steed, with gracious ease descends,
And to each Prince, a hand (first kiss'd) extends;
By whom she's to her stately Chariot brought,
That curious hands, with labour'd cost, had wrought,
Her seat betwixt these Heroes there she takes,
And with her lusters such impression makes;
As if Lights Orbe contracted in her face,
And this, the Chariot of the Suns bright Race.
T'wards London thus, she with these Glories Rides,
'Twixt whom, her grace, and words, she so divides;
As if even Natures Power she could out-doe,
And with one Soul, supply'd the gifts of Two.
Sometimes the Princes gently does Intreat,
Their wondrous deeds, and dangers to relate;
As if she'd Honor give Perpetual Themes,
Or yield Love glorious means, to charm his Flames.
And thus arrives her City, where no State
Is wanting, can magnificence compleat;
Whose stately Orders solemn duties pay,
To speak the joy, and splendor of this day.
Pass'd through these streets (with Flowers & Garlands hung,)
Where eyes in windows croud, and People throng;
This Royal Presence, with glad hearts to view,
Wishing some one of these their Queen may woo.
Then with these Hero's she ascends a Throne
Her Royal Predecessors long did own;
Which wond'rous Frame in pollish'd stone is wrought,
As Parian work might hence have Copies sought.
Whose Bottom shin'd as clear as Mirrors doe;
Circled with Pillars, bright reflections show;
And through each space stood noblest creatures carv'd,
Some think the same, that Noahs Ark preserv'd.
Nor were its Mediums less for beauty prais'd,
While in such order each Ascent is rais'd;
As best skill'd Architects must hence admire
Those hands, that could so happily conspire.
The Royal Cov'ring, which this Frame did bear,
Is story'd by the artful Painters care;
Where antient Heroes in vast Figures lie,
With Atlas, said t'uphold the falling Sky.
Hence they behold Great Londons vast Contents,
The Seat of Natures choice Emoluments;
Which wise Antiquity had planted here,
That times succeeding might renown their care.
And hence they view the silver Flood of Thames,
Brighter than Zanthus, or fam'd Symois streams;
In which the Gods, their limbs were said to save,
And visit Thetis in a chrystal wave.
To Neptunes bosome thus it gently glides,
Returning thence; inricht with pregnant Tides;
By secret sympathy, or Cinthia's power,
That streams can swell, without the help of shower.
While stately Vessels, swift as winds here steer,
Some fraught with Traffique, others built for Warr;
As if that Age heroickly foresaw,
This supreme Isle should to the main give law.
And hence, they wond'rous Aqueducts survey,
That this Great City useful streams convey;
While works in water Engins raise so high,
As if they'd Meteors place above the Sky.
And now as Rome would add a glory too,
Or Gauls repent their crimes, in being a Foe;
Their Legats from Martianus convoy'd come,
Who of these Princes crave a Peace from Rome,
This Embassy, a Gaul of subtile brain
Does manage, that deceit could wilely feign;
Who knew the Brittish hearts too great to be
Suspecters, ev'n in Foes, of treachery,
And to this glorious presence has access.
Cloath'd in the soft Attyres of Gallick dress;
Whose Vests, as various forms, and colours show,
As if they pattern'd from Thaumantius Bow,
On this a Perriwig more long he wears,
Than the dishevel'd locks of Virgins hairs;
And thus with suppliant knees, and fawning face,
(The mode of Gaul) his Errand hopes to grace.
Then first relates, how Rome, and Gaul conspire
To make a lasting Peace, their joynt desire;
Since they behold what wonders Heaven had wrought
For Brittish Powers, while theirs opposing fought.
And next, does magnifie the Princes Arms,
Whose valour gives their Foes such pow'rful charms;
That their great Chiefs submit to sue for Peace,
And call the Brittains friend, if Arms they'l cease.
Though Rome with succours soon can them supply,
Or Great Alvatrix, from his Gauls more nigh;
Whose Arms did but neglect of Love pursue,
Yet to the Queen, that guilt repenteth too.
By me pronouncing, how his soul relents
His late Hostilities, and dire Intents;
In which her City, more (her self) did share,
His Love, and Arms, made guilty of her fear.
For which, if I with offer'd Peace return,
He'll soon to Gaul retire, this crime to mourn;
Nor does Great Ennius design to be
With you, (fam'd Princes,) hence at enmity.
Who by your virtues, more than Arms o'rcome,
Would make you ally'd friends of Mighty Rome;
Leaving your Country, and this Beauteous Queen,
To give her love, as best to Heaven is seen.
This said, the Princes serious councel take,
How safe Replies, this Embassy to make;
Who, though they Gallick Arts, and Romes distrust,
Conclude in faith, these dare not be unjust.
Since thus reduc'd by a victor'ous Fate,
But this so high concern of Arms, and State,
These Hero's joyntly to the Queen referre,
Whose Cause they own, the glory of this warre.
While she, though willing to embrace a Theme,
In which their warlike deeds such merits claim;
Yet gently wishes they'd her tongue now spare,
Too soft to accent the rough Laws of warre.
And thus her ruby lips contain a space,
Each look first speaking, Majesty, and Grace;
As if like Stars, they could her sense convey,
Through the bright influence of a beam, or ray.
Then to this Embassy, in brief replies,
What with these Royal Princes she decrees;
Whose valours have oblig'd her cause so far,
That for their sakes, 'twere sin to wish more war.
If (as he sayes) Great Ennius does repent,
And more, Alvatrix does his rage relent;
Which threatn'd ev'n her City, and her Name,
With Fire, and Arms, and, more unwelcome, Flame.
Yet thus incens'd, her vote shall mercy show
To this Legation, of a cruel Foe;
On whom their Arms might utmost vengeance take,
Who beat in field, their Camp a refuge make.
But if that Rome, and Gaul, no more will be
To Britains, or their Country Enemy;
She'll with the Princes, grant they Truce obtain,
On Faith giv'n ne'r t'invade this Isle again.
To which this Legat guilefully consents,
Vowing his Masters peaceful fair intents;
By all the Gods, that Rome, and Gaul revere,
Prophaning Faith at once, and Heav'ns just Ear.
Then to Martianus these great Chiefs express,
That he with Rome, and Gaul his Arms should cease,
If on their plighted faith this Isle they leave,
In forty dayes, till when a Truce must have.
With feign'd Congratulations then departs
This cringing Legat, full of Gauls smooth Arts;
The Mimicks, in whom Nature forms deceit,
And whence the world does pattern modes to cheat.
Which as an impious President foreshows,
That Gauls would still be Britains faithless Foes,
Who by feign'd Treaties more our Arms deceiv'd,
Than e'r their Swords by victory repriev'd,
And now the Queen descends this stately Throne,
Their joyes with all magnificence to own
In Court, and City; while they first express
Their Thanks to heav'n for their fam'd Arms success.