John Dryden's Palamon and Arcite (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1896 edition. Excerpt: ...virtue ran. All dropt their tears, e'en the contended maid: And thus amoug themselves they softly said: "What eyes can suffer this unworthy sight Two youths of royal blood, renown'd in fight, The mastership of heaven in face and mind, And lovers, far beyond their faithless kind: See their wide-streaming wounds: they neither came For pride of empire, nor desire of fame: Kings fight for kingdoms, madmen for applause: But love for love alone; that crowns the lover's cause. This thought, which ever bribes the beauteous kind, Such pity wrought in every lady's mind, They left their steeds, and prostrate on the place, From the fierce king implor'd the offenders' grace. He paused a while, stood silent in his mood, (For yet his rage was boiling in his blood;) But soon his tender mind the impression felt, (As softest metals are not slow to melt, And pity soonest runs in softest minds: ) Then reasons with himself; and first he finds His passion cast a mist before his sense, And either made, or magnified the offence. "Offence of what? to whom? who judg'd the cause? The prisoner freed himself by nature's laws: Born free, he sought his right: the man he freed Was perjur'd, but his love excus'd the deed." Thus pondering, he look'd under with his eyes, And saw the women's tears, and heard their cries; Which mov'd compassion more, he shook his head, And softly sighing to himself he said: "Curse on the unpardoning prince, whom tears can draw To no remorse; who rules by lions' law; 6 And deaf to prayers, by no submission bow'd, Rends all alike; the penitent and proud " At this, with look serene, he rais'd his head; Reason resum'd her place, and passion fled: Then thus aloud he spoke: "The power of love, id In earth, and seas, and a ir, and heaven above, ...