The RIVAL BROTHERS.

The RIVAL BROTHERS . CELIA and I , to share the vernal Gales , One Ev'ning wander'd o'er the dewy Vales ; Still was the Soul , and ev'ry Sense was pleas'd , And the cool Heart from Care and Business eas'd : Arm lock'd in Arm with heedless Steps we rove , Round the fair Borders of a blooming Grove ; Reclin'd at ease within the secret Shades , A lovely Bower held two fairer Maids , Soft Flavia one , with Cheeks of rosy Dye , And Sylvia famous for her star-like Eye . Sylvia , whose Wit was vers'd in charming Wiles , Who often varied her Discourse with Smiles : Love-tales she told , some fictious and some true , The Subject various and her Stories new ; Of Innocence oppress'd by mightier Wrong , And many Proofs she drew from sacred Song : When Flavia thus — behold the ling'ring Day Still paints you Heavens with a silver Gray ; And slothful Night with gentler Pace comes on , As if she listen'd to thy charming Tongue : The Rival Brothers , let my Sylvia tell , How cross they lov'd , and who untimely fell : Her Friend reply'd , You shall not ask in vain , Although the Story gives thy Sylvia Pain : Then on her Cheek her iv'ry Hand she laid , And with a Sigh began the lovely Maid . Long time before our Fathers Lives began , There liv'd an ancient and a worthy Man , Was long the Fav'rite of indulgent Fame ; For Wretches knew and bless'd Clytiphon's Name , Just without Pride , without Reluctance kind ; For inborn Goodness with soft Pity join'd , To form the Basis of his godlike Mind . His temp'rate Soul was ne'er disturb'd with Rage , But graceful bore the rev'rend Weight of Age : All bounteous Heav'n had to his share consign'd : A moderate Fortune with a peaceful Mind : His Dwelling seated on a rising Hill , Was water'd round with many a crystal Rill : Gardens and Groves the smother'd Buildings screen , Which look'd the Seat of some retir'd Queen . Cythania tost of the admiring Land , The fairest Virgin of the shining Band , Did to Clytiphon's Honour trust her Charms , And gave her Beauties to his faithful Arms : But cruel Death , whose Business is to rend The pale-ey'd Matron from her weeping Friend , Had torn Cythania from his widow'd Side , And left her Spouse to wail his constant Bride : Heav'n spar'd one Child to crown his feeble Age , To chear his Spirits and his Grief asswage : Sophinia precious to her Father's Mind , To her alone was ev'ry Wish confin'd : Nor did the Virgin less deserve his Care , Her guiltless Soul was like her Person fair ; For Heav'n to form this matchless Beauty join'd Her Mother's Features to her Father's Mind ; Not op'ning Roses nor the bashful Day , Blush'd half so sweetly as Sophinia gay : Her Eyes were dazzling and her Temples fair , And ev'ry Feature wore a smiling Air ; For Wit and Learning she out-strip'd her Kind , Nor cou'd her Sex debase her noble Mind ; In search of Knowledge she wou'd spend the Day , And Judgment walk'd before her guiltless Way . Not many Furlongs from those blissful Plains , Where good Clytiphon rul'd the happy Swains , There liv'd a wealthy and a worthy Peer , Lov'd by his Friends and to his Country dear ; Laon the great in Valour justly fam'd , His Sons Lycander and Polyphon nam'd , Both noble Youths and by their Friends admir'd , And Thirst of Glory both their Hearts inspir'd : Lycander's Form was fairer than his Mind ; His Shape was faultless and his Brow sublime , His jetty Locks in mazy Ringlets run , And his bright Eyes were like a Morning Sun : Rays quick and fierce their subtle Light'nings fling , His Cheeks were fresher than the dawning Spring ; But then as Tempests o'er the Ocean roll , Continual Passion tore his boiling Soul ; Disdainful , proud , with an imperious Will , Headlong he rush'd on unsuspected Ill : Reason in vain oppos'd her sacred Shield , And Virtue's self must to the Whirlwind yield : Polyphon's Soul was of a gentler Kind , No rugged Storms cou'd shake his easy Mind , Still calm and pleasant as the Ev'ning Skies : When not a Breeze through the still Region flies , No gloomy Frowns a sullen Heart betray , His Brow was thoughtless and his Air was gay : These to Clytiphon's did their Sire attend , The pleasing Mansion of their Father's Friend , With Lovers Eyes they both Sophinia view , As with her Years her rising Beauty grew , With airy Hopes they nurs'd the rival Flame , And sought with Gifts to win the smiling Dame ; But she too cautious to be soon betray'd , Their Merit balanc'd , and their Tempers weigh'd : Lycander's Fortune pleas'd the lovely Dame , His Power , Titles and his rising Fame ; And the gay Maid beheld with early Pride , Laon's bright Heir attending at her Side : That way wou'd oft her Vanity incline , But then her Reason fear'd his base Design : Still at her Heart the sullen Doubt remains , And put a Period to the golden Dreams : Polyphon's Image on her Fancy stole With thousand Beauties in his taintless Soul ; Clear as his Face and sprightly as his Mien ; Soft as his Voice , and like his Brow serene . Polyphon now the wavering Nymph admires , Nor thinks of Castles , Towns , and shining Spires ; Her changing Thoughts prefer an easy Home , And dwell with Patience on a younger Son . Lycander once her Fav'rite was , but now He meets Resentment and a frozen Brow : In vain to move the scornful Nymph he tries , With sprightly Oaths and well dissembl'd Lies : His Form no more can please Sophinia's Eyes . Without Concern he met the Fair's Disdain , Nor cou'd her Frown disturb the haughty Swain : Conscious of Merit he pursu'd her still , And only thought her Tongue bely'd her Will : For Impudence , to Vice a trusty Squire , Who bears her Arms and fans her purple Fire , Had taught Lycander , that Affairs of Love Are not regarded in the Realms above ; That Oaths are licens'd to address th' Fair , And Vows to Virgins but the Sport of Air ; That Maids are Merchandise , and may be sold For charming Eloquence and mighty Gold . II . A Grove there was , a venerable Shade , No hostile Iron durst her Boughs invade , Whose lofty Pines for sev'ral Ages grew , And rev'rend Oaks a hundred Winters knew : A crystal River wander'd half-way round , The rest defended with a hasel Mound ; 'Twas here to shun Lycander's jealous Eye , When Sol departed to the western Sky ; The sly Sophinia us'd to leave her Maids , And meet Polyphon in the balmy Shades ; While the proud Youth who found himself despis'd , His Person slighted and Polyphon priz'd ; Grew wild with Love and desp'rate with Despair , And vow'd Destruction to the gentle Pair : No quiet Hour his surly Spirit knows , Nor Rest by Day-light or at Night Repose : Cold to his Friends , and if they ask his Care , He only answers with a fullen Glare . One Ev'ning when the sparkling Sun withdrew , And thirsty Flowers sip'd the grateful Dew ; When this fair Grove had put on all her Charms , And Zephyrs play'd amidst her curling Arms ; Sophinia weary of the sultry Day , To the cool Forest took her lonely Way , Attentive only to the Linnets Song , No ill she thought of , and she fear'd no Wrong : Pleas'd with the Glories of the smiling Year , For guilty Minds are only taught to fear . The well-known Path her willing Feet pursue Through the brown Shade , where in the Centre grew A Row of Laurels crown'd with lasting Green , And softer Beech and flow'ring Rose between : Here in a fatal Hour Sophinia came ; For proud Lycander watch'd the lovely Dame : Revenge and Love at once his Bosom fire ; His broad Eyes flash with more than mortal Fire : Then to his Friends the raging Hero flew , His Friends a thoughtless and a wanton Crew , Whose slothful Hands were backward , as their Will , In Virtue's Cause , but resolute in Ill : To these the Youth disclos'd his rash Design , His glad Companions in th' Adventure join , That some well practis'd in the Ruffians Trade Shou'd bear Sophinia from the silent Shade : The Mischief pleas'd , yet none propos'd the Way , Tho' short the Time and dang'rous the Delay : In still suspense the list'ning Heroes stand , Till with rude Voice Miranthus thus began : ' A Castle has for many Centries stood , ' Within the Confines of the neigh'bring Wood , ' Whose gloomy Arches seem dispos'd to hide ' Offended Subjects from a Tyrant's Pride . ' And often she has lent her hostile Towers , ' The guilty Refuge of rebellious Powers : ' Here let your Friends this peevish Girl convey , ' And keep her secret from the Face of Day . ' Those Doors with iron Eloquence shall plead ' Your mighty Passion to the scornful Maid : ' You have what my unready Thought design'd , ' The hasty Dictates of a rustick Mind , ' A Mind inur'd to Wars and rude Alarms , ' Unskill'd in Love and Beauty's softer Charms : He ceas'd — Applause was seen in ev'ry Eye , And Peals of Laughter rent the troubl'd Sky ; Two fav'rite Heroes singl'd from the Crew , With hostile Feet that sacred Path pursue ; Whose winding Maze betray'd the smiling Bower , That held Sophinia in a baneful Hour : The heedless Virgin on a Bank they found , Where the faint Primrose spreads her Odours round , And nodding Poppies seem'd to kiss the Ground . With frighted Eyes the trembling fair One sees Their surly Figures through the parting Trees ; But yet she rose collected in her Fear , 'Twas vain to call and no Assistance near : Then from the Ground she rais'd her beauteous Eyes , And weeping turn'd them on the pitying Skies : Assist me Heaven and heavenly Pow'r , she cries . You Saints that hover round celestial Springs : O take and wrap me in your sacred Wings , I see black Violence come frowning on ; But may Lycander mourn the dear-bought Wrong ; Ah hear , Sophinia , in this fearful Hour ; And save , O save me from a Villain's Pow'r . But now a Slave whom Beauty ne'er cou'd charm , Drew nigh and seiz'd her by the ivory Arm : Through untrod Paths they bore the struggling Maid To those rude Towers where Lycander stay'd , A dismal Dwelling hid by waving Trees ; So thick they scarce admit the healthy Breeze , On whose black Walls condensing Vapours hung , Whose lofty Spires hardly knew the Sun : His Beams ne'er enter'd here , but in the Room Perpetual Coldness and eternal Gloom : Here the pleas'd Youth his charming Prey secures , And round his Pris'ner shut the plated Doors ; Then left the Virgin to herself , nor stay'd To bear Reproaches from the injur'd Maid : Fierce as he was he , like a Coward , flies The Rage that sparkl'd in her glowing Eyes ; But when he thought the dang'rous Storm was o'er , Again he sought those Eyes he fled before , Like some pale Wretch impatient for his Doom , His fearful Steps approach'd the hallow'd Room : For rising Conscience now her Task began , And guilty Blushes through his Features ran : Unusual Horrors o'er his Passage hung , At ev'ry Step the sounding Portals rung : Before the Door he took a silent Stand , And the pale Taper trembl'd in his Hand : A hollow Voice Lycander seem'd to call , And Shadows danc'd along the gloomy Wall : His haughty Spirit was at this dismay'd , Lycander trembl'd , and was once afraid : Why beats my Heart , my coward Heart , he cries ; And why this Mist before my dazzl'd Eyes ? Sophinia's mine , and I will seize my Store , If thousand Spectres guard the awful Door : Then rushing in , the lovely Dame he found In fullen Posture and in Thought profound ; The wonted Roses from her Cheeks were fled , On her fair Hand reclin'd her beauteous Head : With Flatt'ry first he tip'd his artful Tongue , And strove to palliate and excuse the Wrong : Let not Sophinia , with a Smile he cries , Think we have seiz'd her as a hostile Prize ; The Fault we owe to this unconquer'd Flame , Love was the Aggressor and be his the blame : Trust not thy Reason to a haughty Guide , Nor call that Honour which is only Pride : Honour a pageant Mistress of the vain , The Virgin's Tyrant and the Hero's Chain ; If sparkling Wealth can please thy brighter Eyes , The Mines of Persia at thy Feet shall rise ; And when thy Chariot marks the dusty Fields , Full thirty Slaves shall grace the shining Wheels : For thee the East shall yield her spicy Bowers , And sweeter Baths distil from weeping Flowers ; Then smile my fair One and be timely wise ; The Maid reply'd , and roll'd her scornful Eyes . Hence , fawning Traitor , why wouldst thou be told , How much I hate thy Person and thy Gold ? Mistaken Nature with too nice a Care , In vain has shap'd thee in a Mold so fair : Vice will be Vice howe'er 'tis polish'd o'er , Thou Villain , dare to meet my Eyes no more . Those gloomy Birds that love the midnight Air , And hover round the Mansions of Despair ; When to their Shrieks the hollow Roofs rebound , And the hoarse Raven aids the dreadful Sound ; Tho' howling Wolves shou'd with their Voices join , Are less offensive to my Ears than thine : Beyond my Hate , if yet a Thought remain , To make thy Spirit curse the galling Chain ; If with those Thorns that Love's soft Empire bounds , Successful Rivals give the deepest Wounds : I love thy Brother , and , if that can be , With Passion equal to my Hate for thee . She said — And Rage possest Lycander's Soul , His pale Lips tremble and his Eye-balls roll : Three times he rais'd a Dagger to her Breast , But mighty Love his daring Hand suppress'd ; And now shrill Cries invade his wond'ring Ears , The noise of Battle and the clash of Spears ; Starting he turn'd , nor staid to make reply , Tho' Fury sparkl'd in his threat'ning Eye : To Arms his Friends in mingled Voices call , And Danger hover'd o'er the frowning Wall . III . In that sad Hour , when the frighted Maid Was drawn by Villains from the mourning Shade , Polyphon to th' appointed Forest came ; He reach'd the Bower , but he miss'd the Dame ; Through balmy Paths with infant Roses bound , Where blushing Daisies strew the painted Ground ; He rov'd , impatient of the Nymph's Delay , And often doubted to return or stay : By chance he turn'd his mournful Eye , and sees His Friend Acanthus through the parting Trees : The Youth drew nearer with an eager Pace Amazement hover'd on his boding Face ; And thus impatient to Polyphon said , Where is Sophinia , where thy darling Maid , This Ev'ning restless , tho' I know not why , When setting Phoebus stain'd the western Sky : To these sweet Shades I took my heedless Way , To share the Fragrance of declining Day : Alone and pensive as I wander'd here , A Woman's Voice surpris'd my list'ning Ear ; To yon rude Tow'rs I trac'd the sinking Sound , Till the still'd Out-cries were in distance drown'd : What think you now ? I fear some threat'ning Ill From headstrong Passion and imperious Will : I fear Sophinia and yourself betray'd , I know your Brother loves the beauteous Maid ; Then hear my Vow , the frantick Lover cries , And turn'd his Eye-balls on the glimm'ring Skies : Hear me , ye Pow'rs whose sacred Hands sustain These Worlds of Nature in a mighty Chain ; If my fierce Brother has presum'd to bear , And from her Bowers force my injur'd Fair , These wakeful Eye-lids shall no more be clos'd : This Spirit rested , nor these Limbs repos'd ; This vengeful Rapier shall be sheath'd no more , Till the rude Traitor shall his Prize restore : He said , and raging left the gloomy Shade , Full of Resentment for his injur'd Maid : Acanthus summon'd to a neighb'ring Plain Their Friends a little , but a martial Train : Twice twenty Youths their Gen'ral's Voice attend , And share the Quarrel of their injur'd Friend . Polyphon pleas'd to see the assembl'd Pow'rs , Led his small Squadron to the hostile Towers : The frowning Portals well secur'd they found , The gloomy Court with Centries guarded round ; Who spite of Reason and their Country's Laws , Were drawn to combat in a guilty Cause : The first of these Cyrenus , fair and young , Whose curling Locks below his Shoulders hung , Too rashly bold encounter'd hand to hand , Fierce Polyarchus of Polyphon's Band : The pointed Jav'lin sped beneath his Chin , And streaming Purple stain'd his beauteous Skin : His very Cheeks are wash'd with deeper Dyes , And lasting Slumber seals his swimming Eyes : This piteous Sight enrag'd the vicious Train , But mostly Iphis Brother of the slain ; Revenge , he cry'd , and hurl'd his deathful Dart : It hiss'd along , but miss'd the Hero's Heart , Despairing , raging , on the Youth he flew , While down his Forehead roll'd the sultry Dew : Blows answer Blows , and round their Temples sing The glancing Weapons , and the Bucklers ring : Aloof they fight , or now in Circles wheel'd , Each thought to conquer ; both disdain to yield , Till Polyarchus with a side-way Blow Transpierc'd the Liver of his heedless Foe : He drew the Weapon from his tortur'd Side , The gaping Wound disgorg'd a purple Tide : His Eyes turn'd upward with a ghastly Roll , Headlong he fell and sob'd away his Soul : Now Joy transported the victorious Throng , With Polyarchus all the Welkin rung : Applause and Clamour shook the trembling Ground , Lycander heard and curs'd the hated Sound : Griev'd for his Friend he with the foremost press'd , And all their Lances glitter round his Breast : But the strong Shield their Points at distance holds , Where two fair Eagles spread their Wings in Gold ; A weighty Spear his better Hand supplies , And livid Light'nings sparkle in his Eyes . Vinario first sustain'd the Warrior's Rage , The beauteous Darling of his Father's Age ; His tender Arm the deadly Spear arrests , And tore his Shoulder from his ivory Breast : Too late his Friends to his Assistance run , For his black Eyes no more behold the Sun . Miranthus next did his bright Lance extend , A blust'ring Soldier and Lycander's Friend : Him Merias met , old Meriander's Heir , The youthful Husband of Lycosia fair : Now born untimely from his Father's Side , His smiling Fortunes and his lovely Bride : Just at his Hip the Steel an Entrance found , And tore his Bowels with a ghastly Wound : Back fell the Youth , his tinkling Arms reply ; Loud Shrieks and Clamours rend the frighted Sky : Polyphon now with deadly Anguish stung , His ready Jav'lin at the Victor flung : The erring Weapon with a whistling Sound Flew o'er his Head , and plough'd the distant Ground : Enrag'd to see the bloodless Point descend , And miss the Vengeance for his bleeding Friend ; His shining Eyes that did with Fury glow , He turn'd , and thus defy'd the stronger Foe : Hope not for Conquest , mighty Clown , he cries , From thy stern Visage and gigantick Size : A little Arm , if Heav'n direct the Blow , May send thee howling to the Shades below : Slave , cries Miranthus with a stormy Glare , Go , wash thy Face , and curl thy waving Hair , Thy coward Heart belies thy daring Tongue ; He spoke and drove his weighty Spear along , The failing Mischief on the Buckler sung : Not so Polyphon sent his faithful Dart , The speedy Vengeance reach'd the Hero's Heart ; Down fell the Knight , his clanging Arms rebound , And his proud Soul came rushing thro' the Wound . Lycander saw , but turn'd his Eyes away , Where in the Dust the mighty Soldier lay ; Then like a Whirlwind rush'd the Youth along , And sought his Brother in the hostile Throng : Polyphon's Spear his frantick Hand arrests , And hurl'd the Weapon at its Owner's Breast ; The missive Death deceiv'd his bloody Hand , Its thirsty Point lay shiver'd in the Sand : Suspence and Horror held the martial Crew , And the sick Moon receiv'd a paler Hue : The Stars retir'd from the hated Sight , And wrap'd their Glories in the Clouds of Night . Polyphon cry'd , O stay thy hostile Arm , The Name of Brother wears a potent Charm : Our Mother did in Youth's fair Bloom expire , And left us Infants to our tender Sire ; And till Sophinia blew this deadly Flame , Our Fears were equal and our Hopes the same ; The same our Pleasures and the like our Woes ; We slept together and as fondly rose , Then let , O let not murd'rous Rage divide Our Hearts , but lay those threat'ning Arms aside : Let ranc'rous Hate possess our Souls no more , Thou to her Friends the beauteous Maid restore ; Then let her Voice our rival Cause decide , And him she favours wed the smiling Bride : He said ; but Rage had stop'd Lycander's Ears ; Base Slave , he cry'd , thou Child of puny Fears , Not Laon's Son thy Soul disclaim her Race , My Mother ne'er produc'd a Thing so base , Some fairy Elf or treach'rous Nurse beguil'd My sleeping Parents of their lawful Child : Then in his Place her dunghil Offspring laid , And my young Brother to her Hut convey'd : This was thy Mother coarser than her Fate , And thou the Son of her plebeian Mate : Here ceas'd the Youth ; — for Actions spoke the rest , And hurl'd a Jav'lin at Polyphon's Breast : His Shield receiv'd it with a smart Rebound , The missive Weapon trembl'd on the Ground ; Now hand to hand the rival Youths engage , Lycander burn'd with more than mortal Rage : Black Fury roll'd in each relentless Eye , Both fought to conquer or resolv'd to die ; But now Lycander , tho' with Hate inspir'd , By fits was fainting and by fits respir'd ; Polyphon's Sword a fatal Passage found , Beneath his Arm a deep and ghastly Wound ; Stagg'ring he drop'd and grasp'd the bloody Ground . Yet as he liv'd , without a Groan he fell , Nor drew a Sigh , but only cry'd , 'Tis well ; 'Tis well , my Fury with my Life shall end : Farewel , my Brother and at last my Friend ; By our dear Parent see me quickly laid , Be thine the Conquest , thine the beauteous Maid ; He paus'd , and then with feebler Accent cries , My Friends , Farewel , and clos'd his swimming Eyes : The mourning Victor bending o'er the slain , Essay'd to raise him , but essay'd in vain : His failing Arms resign'd their feeble Hold , And Drops of Horror from his Temples roll'd : From each cold Cheek the blushing Beauty flies , And the Ground danc'd before his dazzl'd Eyes ; The weeping Youth , with friendly Force , divide The gentle Mourner from his Brother's Side ; Then Friends and Foes united gather round , And lift the bleeding Body from the Ground ; Some raise the drooping Head , and others press'd Their careful Arms around his manly Breast ; Tho' with black Dust and hostile Crimson stain'd , Its native Fierceness still the Face retain'd ; Back on his Shoulders fell his graceful Hair , And the grand Features wore a scornful Air . Now all too late the rash Adventure blame , Pale Conquest sigh'd and loath'd her hated Name ; From the black Tow'rs their solemn Steps return , And both the Victors and the Vanquish'd mourn .