To the high Cedar that on mountains grows,
No sov’reign herb is found for their disease.
The remainder of this poem, consisting of a third book, written during the author’s imprisonment, is composed of several detached scenes, in which the main plot lies ripening for future action. Rivals are raised to Birtha. Flattering advances from the court, and more open declarations of love from Rhodalind, are in vain employed to assail the constancy of Gondibert. Various conflicts of passion arise, and interesting situations, well imagined, and painted in lively colours. Much is given, as in the former parts, to the introduction of elevated sentiment; with one example of which I shall finish my quotations. Several well-born youths are placed about the person of Gondibert as his pages, whose education consists of the following great lessons from their lord:
But with the early sun he rose, and taught
These youths by growing Virtue to grow great,
Shew’d greatness is without it blindly sought,
A desperate charge which ends in base retreat.
He taught them shame, the sudden sense of ill;
Shame, nature’s hasty conscience, which forbids
Weak inclination ere it grows to will,