As Waller professed himself to have learned the art of versification from Fairfax, it has been thought proper to subjoin a specimen of his work, which, after Mr. Hoole's translation, will, perhaps, not be soon reprinted. By knowing the state in which Waller found our poetry, the reader may judge how much he improved it.
Erminia's steed (this while) his mistresse bore Through forrests thicke among the shadie treene, Her feeble hand the bridle reines forlore, Halfe in a swoune she was for feare, I weene; But her flit courser spared nere the more, To beare her through the desart woods unseene Of her strong foes, that chas'd her through the plaine, And still pursu'd, but still pursu'd in vaine.
Like as the wearie hounds at last retire, Windlesse, displeased, from the fruitlesse chace, When the slie beast Tapisht in bush and brire, No art nor paines can rowse out of his place: The christian knights so full of shame and ire Returned backe, with faint and wearie pace! Yet still the fearfull dame fled, swift as winde, Nor ever staid, nor ever lookt behinde.
Through thicke and thinne, all night, all day, she drived, Withouten comfort, companie, or guide, Her plaints and teares with every thought revived, She heard and saw her greefes, but nought beside. But when the sunne his burning chariot dived In Thetis wave, and wearie teame untide, On Jordans sandie bankes her course she staid, At last, there downe she light, and downe she laid.
Her teares, her drinke; her food, her sorrowings, This was her diet that unhappie night: But sleepe (that sweet repose and quiet brings) To ease the greefes of discontented wight, Spred foorth his tender, soft, and nimble wings, In his dull armes foulding the virgin bright; And love, his mother, and the graces kept Strong watch and warde, while this faire ladie slept.
The birds awakte her with their morning song, Their warbling musicke pearst her tender eare, The murmuring brookes and whistling windes among The ratling boughes, and leaves, their parts did beare; Her eies unclos'd beheld the groves along Of swaines and shepherd groomes, that dwellings weare: And that sweet noise, birds, winds, and waters sent, Provokte againe the virgin to lament.