The world thou haft not seen, much lefs her glory, In all things that to greatest Actions lead. But I will bring thee where thou foon fhalt quit 240 245 The Monarchies of th'Earth, their pomp and state, Sufficient introduction to inform Thee, of thyself so apt, in regal Arts, And regal Myfteries, that thou may't know 250 With that (fuch pow'r was giv'n him then) he took The Son of God up to a Mountain high. It was a Mountain, at whofe verdant feet A fpacious plain, out-ftretch'd in circuit wide, Lay pleasant; from his fide two rivers flow'd, 255 Th' one winding, th' other ftraight, and left between Fair Champain with less rivers intervein'd, Then meeting join'd their Tribute to the Sea; Fertil of corn the glebe, of oil and wine, 259 With herds the pastures throng'd, with flocks the hills; Huge Cities and high tower'd, that well might feem The feats of mightiest Monarchs, and fo large The Profpect was, that here and there was room For barren defart fountainless and dry. To this high mountain's top the Tempter brought Our Saviour, and new train of words began. Wel Well have we speeded, and o'er hill and dale, Foreft and field, and flood, temples and tow'rs Cut shorter many a league; here thou behold'st Alyria and her Empire's ancient bounds, 270 Araxes and the Cafpian lake, thence on As far as Indus Eaft, Euphrates West, And oft beyond; to South the Perfian Bay, 275 Here Nineveh, of length within her wall 280 His City, there thou feeft, and Batra there; 285 Ecbatana her structure vaft there fhews, And Hecatompylos her hundred gates; The drink of none but Kings; of later fame Built by Emathian or by Partbian hands, 290 The great Seleucia, Nicibis, and there Artaxata, Teredon, Ctesiphon, Turning with eafy eye thou mayst behold. All these the Parthian, now fome Ages paft, By great Arfaces led, who founded firft 295 That Empire, under his dominion holds, From the luxurious Kings of Antioch won. And T And just in time thou com'ft to have a view Against the Scythian, whofe Incurfions wild 300 He marches now in hafte; fee, though from far, They iffue forth! steel bows, and fhafts their arms, In Mail their horfes clad, yet fleet and strong, 315 Of Caucafus, and dark Iberian dales, From Atropatia and the neighb'ring plains 320 Of Sufiana, to Balfara's haven. He faw them in their forms of battel rang'd, 325 Chariots 330 Chariots or Elephants endors'd with Tow'rs 335 The City of Gallaphrone, from thence to win 350 His daughter, fought by many prowest Knights, Such and fo numerous was their Chivalry; That thou may'st know I feek not to engage On no flight grounds thy fafety; hear, and mark Thou never shalt obtain; prediction still In all things, and all men, fuppofes means; 355 Long Long to enjoy it quiet and secure, Between two fuch enclosing enemies, Roman, and Partbian? therefore one of thefe 360 Thou must make sure thy own, the Parthian first, By my advice, as nearer and of late Found able by invasion to annoy Thy country, and captive lead away her Kings Antigonus and old Hyrcanus bound, Maugre the Roman: it fhall be my task To render thee the Parthian at difpofe; 365 375 Chufe which thou wilt by conqueft or by league. 370 380 To their inheritance, then, nor till then, Thou on the Throne of David in full glory, From Egypt to Euphrates, and beyond Shalt reign, and Rome or Cæfar not need fear. 385- 390 |