To this ftern foe he oft gave quarter, But as the Scotchman did to' à Tartar, That he, in time to come, Might in return from him receive his fatal doom. 125 VII. He would have ftarv'd this mighty Town, And brought its haughty spirit down; Have cut it off from all relief, And, like a wife and valiant chief, Made many a fierce affault 130 Upon all ammunition-carts, And those that bring up cheese, or malt, Durft not to him their feeble troops discover; 140 In time had made the City yield; For great towns, like to crocodiles, are found VIII. But when the fatal hour arriv'd In which his stars began to frown, 145 And had in close cabals contriv'd To pull him from his height of glory down, And And he, by numerous foes oppreft, Was in th' enchanted dungeon caft, Secur'd with mighty guards, 150 Left he by force or ftratagem Might prove too cunning for their chains and them, And break through all their locks, and bolts, and wards; Had both his legs by charms committed To one another's charge, That neither might be fet at large, And all their fury and revenge outwitted. As jewels of high value are Kept under locks with greater care Than thofe of meaner rates, 155 160 So he was in ftone walls, and chains, and iron grates. And made them yield up love and honour too, 165 But in more brave heroic ways Than e'er were practis'd yet in plays : For those two spiteful foes, who never meet About punctilios and mere tricks, 170 Did all their quarrels to his doom fubmit, In contemplation only of him did agree, With those fresh laurels he had won, X 2 275 And And all the brave renowned feats He had perform'd in arms; The other with his perfon and his charms : So, while the ladies view'd his brighter eyes, Their gentle hearts, alas! were taken by furprize. X. Never did bold knight, to relieve Diftreffed dames, fuch dreadful feats atchieve As feeble damfels, for his fake, 180 185 To live when he was doom'd to die ;. Made loud appeals and moans, To lefs hard-hearted grates and stones ; Came, fwell'd with fighs, and drown'd in tears, And follow'd him, like prifoners of war, Chain'd to the lofty wheels of his triumphant car. 200 A BALLAD 309 Yet old Queen Madge, Though things do not fadge, Will ferve to be queen of a May-pole; Two princes of Wales, For Whitfun-ales, And her Grace Maid-Marion Clay-pole. 10 In This Ballad refers to the Parliament, as it was called, which deliberated about making Oliver king, and petitioned him to accept the title; which he, out of fear of fome republican zealots in his party, refused to accept, and contented himself with the power, under the name of Protector. |