GIOVANNI BOCCACI Miller: SIGISMOND A AND GUIS CAR DO. W HILENorman Tancred in Salernoreign'd, The title of a gracious prince he gain'd; Till turn'd a tyrant in his latter days, He loft the luftre of his former praise; And from the bright meridian where he stood, Defcending, dipp'd his hands in lovers blood. This prince, of Fortune's favor long poffefs'd, Yet was with one fair daughter only bless'd; And bless'd he might have been with her alone: With mind averfe, he rather underwent Short were her marriage joys; for in the prime More lov'd, and more exalted into grace. And had more wit befide than women need, Youth, health, and ease, and most an amorous To fecond nuptials had her thoughts inclin'd: Her fire left unsupply'd her only want; And she, betwixt her modesty and pride,, Her wishes, which she could not help, would hide. Refolv'd at last to lofe no longer time, And yet to please herself without a crime, She caft her eyes around the court, to find A worthy fubject fuiting to her mind, To him in holy nuptials to be ty'd, A seeming widow, and a fecret bride. Among the train of courtiers, one fhe found With all the gifts of bounteous nature crown'd, Of gentle blood; but one whofe niggard fate Had fet him far below her high estate; Guiscard his name was call'd, of blooming age, Now fquire to Tancred, and before his page: To him, the choice of all the fhining crowd, Her heart the noble Sigifmonda vow'd. Yet hitherto fhe kept her love conceal'd, And with those graces ev'ry day beheld The graceful youth; and ev'ry day inereas'd The raging fires that burn'd within her breast; |