Metamorphoses [electronic resource] Ovid Translator Sir Samuel Garth, Translator John Dryden, et al Creation of machine-readable version: Daniel C. Stevenson, Web Atomics Conversion to TEI.2-conformant markup: 1998-1999 Kathryn and W. Harry Schwarzschild Graduate Fellow Elizabeth Styron, University of Virginia Library Electronic Text Center. ca. 1330 kilobytes University of Virginia Library Charlottesville, Virginia OviEMet

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1999

The electronic text was secured from The Internet Classics Archive maintained by Daniel C. Stevenson, Web Atomics. classics@classics.mit.edu. The electronic text is incomplete--the 15th Book is forthcoming. Metamorphoses (Books I-XIV) Metamorphoseon Ovid Translator Sir Samuel Garth

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Library of Congress Subject Headings English fiction poetry masculine Literature in Translation LCSH December 1999 corrector Elizabeth Styron, Electronic Text Center Added TEI header and tags, and line numbers Metamorphoses BOOK THE FIRST The Creation of the World 1:1 Of bodies chang'd to various forms, I sing: 1:2 Ye Gods, from whom these miracles did spring, 1:3 Inspire my numbers with coelestial heat; 1:4 'Till I my long laborious work compleat: 1:5 And add perpetual tenour to my rhimes, 1:6 Deduc'd from Nature's birth, to Caesar's times. 1:7 Before the seas, and this terrestrial ball, 1:8 And Heav'n's high canopy, that covers all, 1:9 One was the face of Nature; if a face: 1:10 Rather a rude and indigested mass: 1:11 A lifeless lump, unfashion'd, and unfram'd, 1:12 Of jarring seeds; and justly Chaos nam'd. 1:13 No sun was lighted up, the world to view; 1:14 No moon did yet her blunted horns renew: 1:15 Nor yet was Earth suspended in the sky, 1:16 Nor pois'd, did on her own foundations lye: 1:17 Nor seas about the shores their arms had thrown; 1:18 But earth, and air, and water, were in one. 1:19 Thus air was void of light, and earth unstable, 1:20 And water's dark abyss unnavigable. 1:21 No certain form on any was imprest; 1:22 All were confus'd, and each disturb'd the rest. 1:23 For hot and cold were in one body fixt; 1:24 And soft with hard, and light with heavy mixt. 1:25 But God, or Nature, while they thus contend, 1:26 To these intestine discords put an end: 1:27 Then earth from air, and seas from earth were driv'n, 1:28 And grosser air sunk from aetherial Heav'n. 1:29 Thus disembroil'd, they take their proper place; 1:30 The next of kin, contiguously embrace; 1:31 And foes are sunder'd, by a larger space. 1:32 The force of fire ascended first on high, 1:33 And took its dwelling in the vaulted sky: 1:34 Then air succeeds, in lightness next to fire; 1:35 Whose atoms from unactive earth retire. 1:36 Earth sinks beneath, and draws a num'rous throng 1:37 Of pondrous, thick, unwieldy seeds along. 1:38 About her coasts, unruly waters roar; 1:39 And rising, on a ridge, insult the shore. The Formation of Man 1:40 Thus when the God, whatever God was he, 1:41 Had form'd the whole, and made the parts agree, 1:42 That no unequal portions might be found, 1:43 He moulded Earth into a spacious round: 1:44 Then with a breath, he gave the winds to blow; 1:45 And bad the congregated waters flow. 1:46 He adds the running springs, and standing lakes; 1:47 And bounding banks for winding rivers makes. 1:48 Some part, in Earth are swallow'd up, the most 1:49 In ample oceans, disembogu'd, are lost. 1:50 He shades the woods, the vallies he restrains 1:51 With rocky mountains, and extends the plains. 1:52 And as five zones th' aetherial regions bind, 1:53 Five, correspondent, are to Earth assign'd: 1:54 The sun with rays, directly darting down, 1:55 Fires all beneath, and fries the middle zone: 1:56 The two beneath the distant poles, complain 1:57 Of endless winter, and perpetual rain. 1:58 Betwixt th' extreams, two happier climates hold 1:59 The temper that partakes of hot, and cold. 1:60 The fields of liquid air, inclosing all, 1:61 Surround the compass of this earthly ball: 1:62 The lighter parts lye next the fires above; 1:63 The grosser near the watry surface move: 1:64 Thick clouds are spread, and storms engender there, 1:65 And thunder's voice, which wretched mortals fear, 1:66 And winds that on their wings cold winter bear. 1:67 Nor were those blustring brethren left at large, 1:68 On seas, and shores, their fury to discharge: 1:69 Bound as they are, and circumscrib'd in place, 1:70 They rend the world, resistless, where they pass; 1:71 And mighty marks of mischief leave behind; 1:72 Such is the rage of their tempestuous kind. 1:73 First Eurus to the rising morn is sent 1:74 (The regions of the balmy continent); 1:75 And Eastern realms, where early Persians run, 1:76 To greet the blest appearance of the sun. 1:77 Westward, the wanton Zephyr wings his flight; 1:78 Pleas'd with the remnants of departing light: 1:79 Fierce Boreas, with his off-spring, issues forth 1:80 T' invade the frozen waggon of the North. 1:81 While frowning Auster seeks the Southern sphere; 1:82 And rots, with endless rain, th' unwholsom year. 1:83 High o'er the clouds, and empty realms of wind, 1:84 The God a clearer space for Heav'n design'd; 1:85 Where fields of light, and liquid aether flow; 1:86 Purg'd from the pondrous dregs of Earth below. 1:87 Scarce had the Pow'r distinguish'd these, when streight 1:88 The stars, no longer overlaid with weight, 1:89 Exert their heads, from underneath the mass; 1:90 And upward shoot, and kindle as they pass, 1:91 And with diffusive light adorn their heav'nly place. 1:92 Then, every void of Nature to supply, 1:93 With forms of Gods he fills the vacant sky: 1:94 New herds of beasts he sends, the plains to share: 1:95 New colonies of birds, to people air: 1:96 And to their oozy beds, the finny fish repair. 1:97 A creature of a more exalted kind 1:98 Was wanting yet, and then was Man design'd: 1:99 Conscious of thought, of more capacious breast, 1:100 For empire form'd, and fit to rule the rest: 1:101 Whether with particles of heav'nly fire 1:102 The God of Nature did his soul inspire, 1:103 Or Earth, but new divided from the sky, 1:104 And, pliant, still retain'd th' aetherial energy: 1:105 Which wise Prometheus temper'd into paste, 1:106 And, mixt with living streams, the godlike image cast. 1:107 Thus, while the mute creation downward bend 1:108 Their sight, and to their earthly mother tend, 1:109 Man looks aloft; and with erected eyes 1:110 Beholds his own hereditary skies. 1:111 From such rude principles our form began; 1:112 And earth was metamorphos'd into Man. The Golden Age 1:113 The golden age was first; when Man yet new, 1:114 No rule but uncorrupted reason knew: 1:115 And, with a native bent, did good pursue. 1:116 Unforc'd by punishment, un-aw'd by fear, 1:117 His words were simple, and his soul sincere; 1:118 Needless was written law, where none opprest: 1:119 The law of Man was written in his breast: 1:120 No suppliant crowds before the judge appear'd, 1:121 No court erected yet, nor cause was heard: 1:122 But all was safe, for conscience was their guard. 1:123 The mountain-trees in distant prospect please, 1:124 E're yet the pine descended to the seas: 1:125 E're sails were spread, new oceans to explore: 1:126 And happy mortals, unconcern'd for more, 1:127 Confin'd their wishes to their native shore. 1:128 No walls were yet; nor fence, nor mote, nor mound, 1:129 Nor drum was heard, nor trumpet's angry sound: 1:130 Nor swords were forg'd; but void of care and crime, 1:131 The soft creation slept away their time. 1:132 The teeming Earth, yet guiltless of the plough, 1:133 And unprovok'd, did fruitful stores allow: 1:134 Content with food, which Nature freely bred, 1:135 On wildings and on strawberries they fed; 1:136 Cornels and bramble-berries gave the rest, 1:137 And falling acorns furnish'd out a feast. 1:138 The flow'rs unsown, in fields and meadows reign'd: 1:139 And Western winds immortal spring maintain'd. 1:140 In following years, the bearded corn ensu'd 1:141 From Earth unask'd, nor was that Earth renew'd. 1:142 From veins of vallies, milk and nectar broke; 1:143 And honey sweating through the pores of oak. The Silver Age 1:144 But when good Saturn, banish'd from above, 1:145 Was driv'n to Hell, the world was under Jove. 1:146 Succeeding times a silver age behold, 1:147 Excelling brass, but more excell'd by gold. 1:148 Then summer, autumn, winter did appear: 1:149 And spring was but a season of the year. 1:150 The sun his annual course obliquely made, 1:151 Good days contracted, and enlarg'd the bad. 1:152 Then air with sultry heats began to glow; 1:153 The wings of winds were clogg'd with ice and snow; 1:154 And shivering mortals, into houses driv'n, 1:155 Sought shelter from th' inclemency of Heav'n. 1:156 Those houses, then, were caves, or homely sheds; 1:157 With twining oziers fenc'd; and moss their beds. 1:158 Then ploughs, for seed, the fruitful furrows broke, 1:159 And oxen labour'd first beneath the yoke. The Brazen Age 1:160 To this came next in course, the brazen age: 1:161 A warlike offspring, prompt to bloody rage, 1:162 Not impious yet... The Iron Age 1:163 Hard steel succeeded then: 1:164 And stubborn as the metal, were the men. 1:165 Truth, modesty, and shame, the world forsook: 1:166 Fraud, avarice, and force, their places took. 1:167 Then sails were spread, to every wind that blew. 1:168 Raw were the sailors, and the depths were new: 1:169 Trees, rudely hollow'd, did the waves sustain; 1:170 E're ships in triumph plough'd the watry plain. 1:171 Then land-marks limited to each his right: 1:172 For all before was common as the light. 1:173 Nor was the ground alone requir'd to bear 1:174 Her annual income to the crooked share, 1:175 But greedy mortals, rummaging her store, 1:176 Digg'd from her entrails first the precious oar; 1:177 Which next to Hell, the prudent Gods had laid; 1:178 And that alluring ill, to sight display'd. 1:179 Thus cursed steel, and more accursed gold, 1:180 Gave mischief birth, and made that mischief bold: 1:181 And double death did wretched Man invade, 1:182 By steel assaulted, and by gold betray'd, 1:183 Now (brandish'd weapons glittering in their hands) 1:184 Mankind is broken loose from moral bands; 1:185 No rights of hospitality remain: 1:186 The guest, by him who harbour'd him, is slain, 1:187 The son-in-law pursues the father's life; 1:188 The wife her husband murders, he the wife. 1:189 The step-dame poyson for the son prepares; 1:190 The son inquires into his father's years. 1:191 Faith flies, and piety in exile mourns; 1:192 And justice, here opprest, to Heav'n returns. The Giants' War 1:193 Nor were the Gods themselves more safe above; 1:194 Against beleaguer'd Heav'n the giants move. 1:195 Hills pil'd on hills, on mountains mountains lie, 1:196 To make their mad approaches to the skie. 1:197 'Till Jove, no longer patient, took his time 1:198 T' avenge with thunder their audacious crime: 1:199 Red light'ning plaid along the firmament, 1:200 And their demolish'd works to pieces rent. 1:201 Sing'd with the flames, and with the bolts transfixt, 1:202 With native Earth, their blood the monsters mixt; 1:203 The blood, indu'd with animating heat, 1:204 Did in th' impregnant Earth new sons beget: 1:205 They, like the seed from which they sprung, accurst, 1:206 Against the Gods immortal hatred nurst, 1:207 An impious, arrogant, and cruel brood; 1:208 Expressing their original from blood. 1:209 Which when the king of Gods beheld from high 1:210 (Withal revolving in his memory, 1:211 What he himself had found on Earth of late, 1:212 Lycaon's guilt, and his inhumane treat), 1:213 He sigh'd; nor longer with his pity strove; 1:214 But kindled to a wrath becoming Jove: 1:215 Then call'd a general council of the Gods; 1:216 Who summon'd, issue from their blest abodes, 1:217 And fill th' assembly with a shining train. 1:218 A way there is, in Heav'n's expanded plain, 1:219 Which, when the skies are clear, is seen below, 1:220 And mortals, by the name of Milky, know. 1:221 The ground-work is of stars; through which the road 1:222 Lyes open to the Thunderer's abode: 1:223 The Gods of greater nations dwell around, 1:224 And, on the right and left, the palace bound; 1:225 The commons where they can: the nobler sort 1:226 With winding-doors wide open, front the court. 1:227 This place, as far as Earth with Heav'n may vie, 1:228 I dare to call the Louvre of the skie. 1:229 When all were plac'd, in seats distinctly known, 1:230 And he, their father, had assum'd the throne, 1:231 Upon his iv'ry sceptre first he leant, 1:232 Then shook his head, that shook the firmament: 1:233 Air, Earth, and seas, obey'd th' almighty nod; 1:234 And, with a gen'ral fear, confess'd the God. 1:235 At length, with indignation, thus he broke 1:236 His awful silence, and the Pow'rs bespoke. 1:237 I was not more concern'd in that debate 1:238 Of empire, when our universal state 1:239 Was put to hazard, and the giant race 1:240 Our captive skies were ready to imbrace: 1:241 For tho' the foe was fierce, the seeds of all 1:242 Rebellion, sprung from one original; 1:243 Now, wheresoever ambient waters glide, 1:244 All are corrupt, and all must be destroy'd. 1:245 Let me this holy protestation make, 1:246 By Hell, and Hell's inviolable lake, 1:247 I try'd whatever in the godhead lay: 1:248 But gangren'd members must be lopt away, 1:249 Before the nobler parts are tainted to decay. 1:250 There dwells below, a race of demi-gods, 1:251 Of nymphs in waters, and of fawns in woods: 1:252 Who, tho' not worthy yet, in Heav'n to live, 1:253 Let 'em, at least, enjoy that Earth we give. 1:254 Can these be thought securely lodg'd below, 1:255 When I my self, who no superior know, 1:256 I, who have Heav'n and Earth at my command, 1:257 Have been attempted by Lycaon's hand? 1:258 At this a murmur through the synod went, 1:259 And with one voice they vote his punishment. 1:260 Thus, when conspiring traytors dar'd to doom 1:261 The fall of Caesar, and in him of Rome, 1:262 The nations trembled with a pious fear; 1:263 All anxious for their earthly Thunderer: 1:264 Nor was their care, o Caesar, less esteem'd 1:265 By thee, than that of Heav'n for Jove was deem'd: 1:266 Who with his hand, and voice, did first restrain 1:267 Their murmurs, then resum'd his speech again. 1:268 The Gods to silence were compos'd, and sate 1:269 With reverence, due to his superior state. 1:270 Cancel your pious cares; already he 1:271 Has paid his debt to justice, and to me. 1:272 Yet what his crimes, and what my judgments were, 1:273 Remains for me thus briefly to declare. 1:274 The clamours of this vile degenerate age, 1:275 The cries of orphans, and th' oppressor's rage, 1:276 Had reach'd the stars: I will descend, said I, 1:277 In hope to prove this loud complaint a lye. 1:278 Disguis'd in humane shape, I travell'd round 1:279 The world, and more than what I heard, I found. 1:280 O'er Maenalus I took my steepy way, 1:281 By caverns infamous for beasts of prey: 1:282 Then cross'd Cyllene, and the piny shade 1:283 More infamous, by curst Lycaon made: 1:284 Dark night had cover'd Heaven, and Earth, before 1:285 I enter'd his unhospitable door. 1:286 Just at my entrance, I display'd the sign 1:287 That somewhat was approaching of divine. 1:288 The prostrate people pray; the tyrant grins; 1:289 And, adding prophanation to his sins, 1:290 I'll try, said he, and if a God appear, 1:291 To prove his deity shall cost him dear. 1:292 'Twas late; the graceless wretch my death prepares, 1:293 When I shou'd soundly sleep, opprest with cares: 1:294 This dire experiment he chose, to prove 1:295 If I were mortal, or undoubted Jove: 1:296 But first he had resolv'd to taste my pow'r; 1:297 Not long before, but in a luckless hour, 1:298 Some legates, sent from the Molossian state, 1:299 Were on a peaceful errand come to treat: 1:300 Of these he murders one, he boils the flesh; 1:301 And lays the mangled morsels in a dish: 1:302 Some part he roasts; then serves it up, so drest, 1:303 And bids me welcome to this humane feast. 1:304 Mov'd with disdain, the table I o'er-turn'd; 1:305 And with avenging flames, the palace burn'd. 1:306 The tyrant in a fright, for shelter gains 1:307 The neighb'ring fields, and scours along the plains. 1:308 Howling he fled, and fain he wou'd have spoke; 1:309 But humane voice his brutal tongue forsook. 1:310 About his lips the gather'd foam he churns, 1:311 And, breathing slaughters, still with rage he burns, 1:312 But on the bleating flock his fury turns. 1:313 His mantle, now his hide, with rugged hairs 1:314 Cleaves to his back; a famish'd face he bears; 1:315 His arms descend, his shoulders sink away 1:316 To multiply his legs for chase of prey. 1:317 He grows a wolf, his hoariness remains, 1:318 And the same rage in other members reigns. 1:319 His eyes still sparkle in a narr'wer space: 1:320 His jaws retain the grin, and violence of his face 1:321 This was a single ruin, but not one 1:322 Deserves so just a punishment alone. 1:323 Mankind's a monster, and th' ungodly times 1:324 Confed'rate into guilt, are sworn to crimes. 1:325 All are alike involv'd in ill, and all 1:326 Must by the same relentless fury fall. 1:327 Thus ended he; the greater Gods assent; 1:328 By clamours urging his severe intent; 1:329 The less fill up the cry for punishment. 1:330 Yet still with pity they remember Man; 1:331 And mourn as much as heav'nly spirits can. 1:332 They ask, when those were lost of humane birth, 1:333 What he wou'd do with all this waste of Earth: 1:334 If his dispeopl'd world he would resign 1:335 To beasts, a mute, and more ignoble line; 1:336 Neglected altars must no longer smoke, 1:337 If none were left to worship, and invoke. 1:338 To whom the Father of the Gods reply'd, 1:339 Lay that unnecessary fear aside: 1:340 Mine be the care, new people to provide. 1:341 I will from wondrous principles ordain 1:342 A race unlike the first, and try my skill again. 1:343 Already had he toss'd the flaming brand; 1:344 And roll'd the thunder in his spacious hand; 1:345 Preparing to discharge on seas and land: 1:346 But stopt, for fear, thus violently driv'n, 1:347 The sparks should catch his axle-tree of Heav'n. 1:348 Remembring in the fates, a time when fire 1:349 Shou'd to the battlements of Heaven aspire, 1:350 And all his blazing worlds above shou'd burn; 1:351 And all th' inferior globe to cinders turn. 1:352 His dire artill'ry thus dismist, he bent 1:353 His thoughts to some securer punishment: 1:354 Concludes to pour a watry deluge down; 1:355 And what he durst not burn, resolves to drown. 1:356 The northern breath, that freezes floods, he binds; 1:357 With all the race of cloud-dispelling winds: 1:358 The south he loos'd, who night and horror brings; 1:359 And foggs are shaken from his flaggy wings. 1:360 From his divided beard two streams he pours, 1:361 His head, and rheumy eyes distill in show'rs, 1:362 With rain his robe, and heavy mantle flow: 1:363 And lazy mists are lowring on his brow; 1:364 Still as he swept along, with his clench'd fist 1:365 He squeez'd the clouds, th' imprison'd clouds resist: 1:366 The skies, from pole to pole, with peals resound; 1:367 And show'rs inlarg'd, come pouring on the ground. 1:368 Then, clad in colours of a various dye, 1:369 Junonian Iris breeds a new supply 1:370 To feed the clouds: impetuous rain descends; 1:371 The bearded corn beneath the burden bends: 1:372 Defrauded clowns deplore their perish'd grain; 1:373 And the long labours of the year are vain. 1:374 Nor from his patrimonial Heaven alone 1:375 Is Jove content to pour his vengeance down; 1:376 Aid from his brother of the seas he craves, 1:377 To help him with auxiliary waves. 1:378 The watry tyrant calls his brooks and floods, 1:379 Who rowl from mossie caves (their moist abodes); 1:380 And with perpetual urns his palace fill: 1:381 To whom in brief, he thus imparts his will. 1:382 Small exhortation needs; your pow'rs employ: 1:383 And this bad world, so Jove requires, destroy. 1:384 Let loose the reins to all your watry store: 1:385 Bear down the damms, and open ev'ry door. 1:386 The floods, by Nature enemies to land, 1:387 And proudly swelling with their new command, 1:388 Remove the living stones, that stopt their way, 1:389 And gushing from their source, augment the sea. 1:390 Then, with his mace, their monarch struck the ground; 1:391 With inward trembling Earth receiv'd the wound; 1:392 And rising streams a ready passage found. 1:393 Th' expanded waters gather on the plain: 1:394 They float the fields, and over-top the grain; 1:395 Then rushing onwards, with a sweepy sway, 1:396 Bear flocks, and folds, and lab'ring hinds away. 1:397 Nor safe their dwellings were, for, sap'd by floods, 1:398 Their houses fell upon their houshold Gods. 1:399 The solid piles, too strongly built to fall, 1:400 High o'er their heads, behold a watry wall: 1:401 Now seas and Earth were in confusion lost; 1:402 A world of waters, and without a coast. 1:403 One climbs a cliff; one in his boat is born: 1:404 And ploughs above, where late he sow'd his corn. 1:405 Others o'er chimney-tops and turrets row, 1:406 And drop their anchors on the meads below: 1:407 Or downward driv'n, they bruise the tender vine, 1:408 Or tost aloft, are knock'd against a pine. 1:409 And where of late the kids had cropt the grass, 1:410 The monsters of the deep now take their place. 1:411 Insulting Nereids on the cities ride, 1:412 And wond'ring dolphins o'er the palace glide. 1:413 On leaves, and masts of mighty oaks they brouze; 1:414 And their broad fins entangle in the boughs. 1:415 The frighted wolf now swims amongst the sheep; 1:416 The yellow lion wanders in the deep: 1:417 His rapid force no longer helps the boar: 1:418 The stag swims faster, than he ran before. 1:419 The fowls, long beating on their wings in vain, 1:420 Despair of land, and drop into the main. 1:421 Now hills, and vales no more distinction know; 1:422 And levell'd Nature lies oppress'd below. 1:423 The most of mortals perish in the flood: 1:424 The small remainder dies for want of food. 1:425 A mountain of stupendous height there stands 1:426 Betwixt th' Athenian and Boeotian lands, 1:427 The bound of fruitful fields, while fields they were, 1:428 But then a field of waters did appear: 1:429 Parnassus is its name; whose forky rise 1:430 Mounts thro' the clouds, and mates the lofty skies. 1:431 High on the summit of this dubious cliff, 1:432 Deucalion wafting, moor'd his little skiff. 1:433 He with his wife were only left behind 1:434 Of perish'd Man; they two were human kind. 1:435 The mountain nymphs, and Themis they adore, 1:436 And from her oracles relief implore. 1:437 The most upright of mortal men was he; 1:438 The most sincere, and holy woman, she. 1:439 When Jupiter, surveying Earth from high, 1:440 Beheld it in a lake of water lie, 1:441 That where so many millions lately liv'd, 1:442 But two, the best of either sex, surviv'd; 1:443 He loos'd the northern wind; fierce Boreas flies 1:444 To puff away the clouds, and purge the skies: 1:445 Serenely, while he blows, the vapours driv'n, 1:446 Discover Heav'n to Earth, and Earth to Heav'n. 1:447 The billows fall, while Neptune lays his mace 1:448 On the rough sea, and smooths its furrow'd face. 1:449 Already Triton, at his call, appears 1:450 Above the waves; a Tyrian robe he wears; 1:451 And in his hand a crooked trumpet bears. 1:452 The soveraign bids him peaceful sounds inspire, 1:453 And give the waves the signal to retire. 1:454 His writhen shell he takes; whose narrow vent 1:455 Grows by degrees into a large extent, 1:456 Then gives it breath; the blast with doubling sound, 1:457 Runs the wide circuit of the world around: 1:458 The sun first heard it, in his early east, 1:459 And met the rattling ecchos in the west. 1:460 The waters, listning to the trumpet's roar, 1:461 Obey the summons, and forsake the shore. 1:462 A thin circumference of land appears; 1:463 And Earth, but not at once, her visage rears, 1:464 And peeps upon the seas from upper grounds; 1:465 The streams, but just contain'd within their bounds, 1:466 By slow degrees into their channels crawl; 1:467 And Earth increases, as the waters fall. 1:468 In longer time the tops of trees appear, 1:469 Which mud on their dishonour'd branches bear. 1:470 At length the world was all restor'd to view; 1:471 But desolate, and of a sickly hue: 1:472 Nature beheld her self, and stood aghast, 1:473 A dismal desart, and a silent waste. 1:474 Which when Deucalion, with a piteous look 1:475 Beheld, he wept, and thus to Pyrrha spoke: 1:476 Oh wife, oh sister, oh of all thy kind 1:477 The best, and only creature left behind, 1:478 By kindred, love, and now by dangers joyn'd; 1:479 Of multitudes, who breath'd the common air, 1:480 We two remain; a species in a pair: 1:481 The rest the seas have swallow'd; nor have we 1:482 Ev'n of this wretched life a certainty. 1:483 The clouds are still above; and, while I speak, 1:484 A second deluge o'er our heads may break. 1:485 Shou'd I be snatcht from hence, and thou remain, 1:486 Without relief, or partner of thy pain, 1:487 How cou'dst thou such a wretched life sustain? 1:488 Shou'd I be left, and thou be lost, the sea 1:489 That bury'd her I lov'd, shou'd bury me. 1:490 Oh cou'd our father his old arts inspire, 1:491 And make me heir of his informing fire, 1:492 That so I might abolisht Man retrieve, 1:493 And perisht people in new souls might live. 1:494 But Heav'n is pleas'd, nor ought we to complain, 1:495 That we, th' examples of mankind, remain. 1:496 He said; the careful couple joyn their tears: 1:497 And then invoke the Gods, with pious prayers. 1:498 Thus, in devotion having eas'd their grief, 1:499 From sacred oracles they seek relief; 1:500 And to Cephysus' brook their way pursue: 1:501 The stream was troubled, but the ford they knew; 1:502 With living waters, in the fountain bred, 1:503 They sprinkle first their garments, and their head, 1:504 Then took the way, which to the temple led. 1:505 The roofs were all defil'd with moss, and mire, 1:506 The desart altars void of solemn fire. 1:507 Before the gradual, prostrate they ador'd; 1:508 The pavement kiss'd; and thus the saint implor'd. 1:509 O righteous Themis, if the Pow'rs above 1:510 By pray'rs are bent to pity, and to love; 1:511 If humane miseries can move their mind; 1:512 If yet they can forgive, and yet be kind; 1:513 Tell how we may restore, by second birth, 1:514 Mankind, and people desolated Earth. 1:515 Then thus the gracious Goddess, nodding, said; 1:516 Depart, and with your vestments veil your head: 1:517 And stooping lowly down, with losen'd zones, 1:518 Throw each behind your backs, your mighty mother's bones. 1:519 Amaz'd the pair, and mute with wonder stand, 1:520 'Till Pyrrha first refus'd the dire command. 1:521 Forbid it Heav'n, said she, that I shou'd tear 1:522 Those holy reliques from the sepulcher. 1:523 They ponder'd the mysterious words again, 1:524 For some new sense; and long they sought in vain: 1:525 At length Deucalion clear'd his cloudy brow, 1:526 And said, the dark Aenigma will allow 1:527 A meaning, which, if well I understand, 1:528 From sacrilege will free the God's command: 1:529 This Earth our mighty mother is, the stones 1:530 In her capacious body, are her bones: 1:531 These we must cast behind. With hope, and fear, 1:532 The woman did the new solution hear: 1:533 The man diffides in his own augury, 1:534 And doubts the Gods; yet both resolve to try. 1:535 Descending from the mount, they first unbind 1:536 Their vests, and veil'd, they cast the stones behind: 1:537 The stones (a miracle to mortal view, 1:538 But long tradition makes it pass for true) 1:539 Did first the rigour of their kind expel, 1:540 And suppled into softness, as they fell; 1:541 Then swell'd, and swelling, by degrees grew warm; 1:542 And took the rudiments of human form. 1:543 Imperfect shapes: in marble such are seen, 1:544 When the rude chizzel does the man begin; 1:545 While yet the roughness of the stone remains, 1:546 Without the rising muscles, and the veins. 1:547 The sappy parts, and next resembling juice, 1:548 Were turn'd to moisture, for the body's use: 1:549 Supplying humours, blood, and nourishment; 1:550 The rest, too solid to receive a bent, 1:551 Converts to bones; and what was once a vein, 1:552 Its former name and Nature did retain. 1:553 By help of pow'r divine, in little space, 1:554 What the man threw, assum'd a manly face; 1:555 And what the wife, renew'd the female race. 1:556 Hence we derive our nature; born to bear 1:557 Laborious life; and harden'd into care. 1:558 The rest of animals, from teeming Earth 1:559 Produc'd, in various forms receiv'd their birth. 1:560 The native moisture, in its close retreat, 1:561 Digested by the sun's aetherial heat, 1:562 As in a kindly womb, began to breed: 1:563 Then swell'd, and quicken'd by the vital seed. 1:564 And some in less, and some in longer space, 1:565 Were ripen'd into form, and took a sev'ral face. 1:566 Thus when the Nile from Pharian fields is fled, 1:567 And seeks, with ebbing tides, his ancient bed, 1:568 The fat manure with heav'nly fire is warm'd; 1:569 And crusted creatures, as in wombs, are form'd; 1:570 These, when they turn the glebe, the peasants find; 1:571 Some rude, and yet unfinish'd in their kind: 1:572 Short of their limbs, a lame imperfect birth: 1:573 One half alive; and one of lifeless earth. 1:574 For heat, and moisture, when in bodies join'd, 1:575 The temper that results from either kind 1:576 Conception makes; and fighting 'till they mix, 1:577 Their mingled atoms in each other fix. 1:578 Thus Nature's hand the genial bed prepares 1:579 With friendly discord, and with fruitful wars. 1:580 From hence the surface of the ground, with mud 1:581 And slime besmear'd (the faeces of the flood), 1:582 Receiv'd the rays of Heav'n: and sucking in 1:583 The seeds of heat, new creatures did begin: 1:584 Some were of sev'ral sorts produc'd before, 1:585 But of new monsters, Earth created more. 1:586 Unwillingly, but yet she brought to light 1:587 Thee, Python too, the wondring world to fright, 1:588 And the new nations, with so dire a sight: 1:589 So monstrous was his bulk, so large a space 1:590 Did his vast body, and long train embrace. 1:591 Whom Phoebus basking on a bank espy'd; 1:592 E're now the God his arrows had not try'd 1:593 But on the trembling deer, or mountain goat; 1:594 At this new quarry he prepares to shoot. 1:595 Though ev'ry shaft took place, he spent the store 1:596 Of his full quiver; and 'twas long before 1:597 Th' expiring serpent wallow'd in his gore. 1:598 Then, to preserve the fame of such a deed, 1:599 For Python slain, he Pythian games decred. 1:600 Where noble youths for mastership shou'd strive, 1:601 To quoit, to run, and steeds, and chariots drive. 1:602 The prize was fame: in witness of renown 1:603 An oaken garland did the victor crown. 1:604 The laurel was not yet for triumphs born; 1:605 But every green alike by Phoebus worn, 1:606 Did, with promiscuous grace, his flowing locks adorn. The Transformation of Daphne into a Lawrel 1:607 The first and fairest of his loves, was she 1:608 Whom not blind fortune, but the dire decree 1:609 Of angry Cupid forc'd him to desire: 1:610 Daphne her name, and Peneus was her sire. 1:611 Swell'd with the pride, that new success attends, 1:612 He sees the stripling, while his bow he bends, 1:613 And thus insults him: Thou lascivious boy, 1:614 Are arms like these for children to employ? 1:615 Know, such atchievements are my proper claim; 1:616 Due to my vigour, and unerring aim: 1:617 Resistless are my shafts, and Python late 1:618 In such a feather'd death, has found his fate. 1:619 Take up the torch (and lay my weapons by), 1:620 With that the feeble souls of lovers fry. 1:621 To whom the son of Venus thus reply'd, 1:622 Phoebus, thy shafts are sure on all beside, 1:623 But mine of Phoebus, mine the fame shall be 1:624 Of all thy conquests, when I conquer thee. 1:625 He said, and soaring, swiftly wing'd his flight: 1:626 Nor stopt but on Parnassus' airy height. 1:627 Two diff'rent shafts he from his quiver draws; 1:628 One to repel desire, and one to cause. 1:629 One shaft is pointed with refulgent gold: 1:630 To bribe the love, and make the lover bold: 1:631 One blunt, and tipt with lead, whose base allay 1:632 Provokes disdain, and drives desire away. 1:633 The blunted bolt against the nymph he drest: 1:634 But with the sharp transfixt Apollo's breast. 1:635 Th' enamour'd deity pursues the chace; 1:636 The scornful damsel shuns his loath'd embrace: 1:637 In hunting beasts of prey, her youth employs; 1:638 And Phoebe rivals in her rural joys. 1:639 With naked neck she goes, and shoulders bare; 1:640 And with a fillet binds her flowing hair. 1:641 By many suitors sought, she mocks their pains, 1:642 And still her vow'd virginity maintains. 1:643 Impatient of a yoke, the name of bride 1:644 She shuns, and hates the joys, she never try'd. 1:645 On wilds, and woods, she fixes her desire: 1:646 Nor knows what youth, and kindly love, inspire. 1:647 Her father chides her oft: Thou ow'st, says he, 1:648 A husband to thy self, a son to me. 1:649 She, like a crime, abhors the nuptial bed: 1:650 She glows with blushes, and she hangs her head. 1:651 Then casting round his neck her tender arms, 1:652 Sooths him with blandishments, and filial charms: 1:653 Give me, my Lord, she said, to live, and die, 1:654 A spotless maid, without the marriage tye. 1:655 'Tis but a small request; I beg no more 1:656 Than what Diana's father gave before. 1:657 The good old sire was soften'd to consent; 1:658 But said her wish wou'd prove her punishment: 1:659 For so much youth, and so much beauty join'd, 1:660 Oppos'd the state, which her desires design'd. 1:661 The God of light, aspiring to her bed, 1:662 Hopes what he seeks, with flattering fancies fed; 1:663 And is, by his own oracles, mis-led. 1:664 And as in empty fields the stubble burns, 1:665 Or nightly travellers, when day returns, 1:666 Their useless torches on dry hedges throw, 1:667 That catch the flames, and kindle all the row; 1:668 So burns the God, consuming in desire, 1:669 And feeding in his breast a fruitless fire: 1:670 Her well-turn'd neck he view'd (her neck was bare) 1:671 And on her shoulders her dishevel'd hair; 1:672 Oh were it comb'd, said he, with what a grace 1:673 Wou'd every waving curl become her face! 1:674 He view'd her eyes, like heav'nly lamps that shone, 1:675 He view'd her lips, too sweet to view alone, 1:676 Her taper fingers, and her panting breast; 1:677 He praises all he sees, and for the rest 1:678 Believes the beauties yet unseen are best: 1:679 Swift as the wind, the damsel fled away, 1:680 Nor did for these alluring speeches stay: 1:681 Stay Nymph, he cry'd, I follow, not a foe. 1:682 Thus from the lyon trips the trembling doe; 1:683 Thus from the wolf the frighten'd lamb removes, 1:684 And, from pursuing faulcons, fearful doves; 1:685 Thou shunn'st a God, and shunn'st a God, that loves. 1:686 Ah, lest some thorn shou'd pierce thy tender foot, 1:687 Or thou shou'dst fall in flying my pursuit! 1:688 To sharp uneven ways thy steps decline; 1:689 Abate thy speed, and I will bate of mine. 1:690 Yet think from whom thou dost so rashly fly; 1:691 Nor basely born, nor shepherd's swain am I. 1:692 Perhaps thou know'st not my superior state; 1:693 And from that ignorance proceeds thy hate. 1:694 Me Claros, Delphi, Tenedos obey; 1:695 These hands the Patareian scepter sway. 1:696 The King of Gods begot me: what shall be, 1:697 Or is, or ever was, in Fate, I see. 1:698 Mine is th' invention of the charming lyre; 1:699 Sweet notes, and heav'nly numbers, I inspire. 1:700 Sure is my bow, unerring is my dart; 1:701 But ah! more deadly his, who pierc'd my heart. 1:702 Med'cine is mine; what herbs and simples grow 1:703 In fields, and forrests, all their pow'rs I know; 1:704 And am the great physician call'd, below. 1:705 Alas that fields and forrests can afford. 1:706 No remedies to heal their love-sick lord! 1:707 To cure the pains of love, no plant avails: 1:708 And his own physick, the physician falls. 1:709 She heard not half; so furiously she flies; 1:710 And on her ear th' imperfect accent dies, 1:711 Fear gave her wings; and as she fled, the wind 1:712 Increasing, spread her flowing hair behind; 1:713 And left her legs and thighs expos'd to view: 1:714 Which made the God more eager to pursue. 1:715 The God was young, and was too hotly bent 1:716 To lose his time in empty compliment: 1:717 But led by love, and fir'd with such a sight, 1:718 Impetuously pursu'd his near delight. 1:719 As when th' impatient greyhound slipt from far, 1:720 Bounds o'er the glebe to course the fearful hare, 1:721 She in her speed does all her safety lay; 1:722 And he with double speed pursues the prey; 1:723 O'er-runs her at the sitting turn, and licks 1:724 His chaps in vain, and blows upon the flix: 1:725 She scapes, and for the neighb'ring covert strives, 1:726 And gaining shelter, doubts if yet she lives: 1:727 If little things with great we may compare, 1:728 Such was the God, and such the flying fair, 1:729 She urg'd by fear, her feet did swiftly move, 1:730 But he more swiftly, who was urg'd by love. 1:731 He gathers ground upon her in the chace: 1:732 Now breathes upon her hair, with nearer pace; 1:733 And just is fast'ning on the wish'd embrace. 1:734 The nymph grew pale, and in a mortal fright, 1:735 Spent with the labour of so long a flight; 1:736 And now despairing, cast a mournful look 1:737 Upon the streams of her paternal brook; 1:738 Oh help, she cry'd, in this extreamest need! 1:739 If water Gods are deities indeed: 1:740 Gape Earth, and this unhappy wretch intomb; 1:741 Or change my form, whence all my sorrows come. 1:742 Scarce had she finish'd, when her feet she found 1:743 Benumb'd with cold, and fasten'd to the ground: 1:744 A filmy rind about her body grows; 1:745 Her hair to leaves, her arms extend to boughs: 1:746 The nymph is all into a lawrel gone; 1:747 The smoothness of her skin remains alone. 1:748 Yet Phoebus loves her still, and casting round 1:749 Her bole, his arms, some little warmth he found. 1:750 The tree still panted in th' unfinish'd part: 1:751 Not wholly vegetive, and heav'd her heart. 1:752 He fixt his lips upon the trembling rind; 1:753 It swerv'd aside, and his embrace declin'd. 1:754 To whom the God, Because thou canst not be 1:755 My mistress, I espouse thee for my tree: 1:756 Be thou the prize of honour, and renown; 1:757 The deathless poet, and the poem, crown. 1:758 Thou shalt the Roman festivals adorn, 1:759 And, after poets, be by victors worn. 1:760 Thou shalt returning Caesar's triumph grace; 1:761 When pomps shall in a long procession pass. 1:762 Wreath'd on the posts before his palace wait; 1:763 And be the sacred guardian of the gate. 1:764 Secure from thunder, and unharm'd by Jove, 1:765 Unfading as th' immortal Pow'rs above: 1:766 And as the locks of Phoebus are unshorn, 1:767 So shall perpetual green thy boughs adorn. 1:768 The grateful tree was pleas'd with what he said; 1:769 And shook the shady honours of her head. The Transformation of Io into a Heyfer 1:770 An ancient forest in Thessalia grows; 1:771 Which Tempe's pleasing valley does inclose: 1:772 Through this the rapid Peneus take his course; 1:773 From Pindus rolling with impetuous force; 1:774 Mists from the river's mighty fall arise: 1:775 And deadly damps inclose the cloudy skies: 1:776 Perpetual fogs are hanging o'er the wood; 1:777 And sounds of waters deaf the neighbourhood. 1:778 Deep, in a rocky cave, he makes abode 1:779 (A mansion proper for a mourning God). 1:780 Here he gives audience; issuing out decrees 1:781 To rivers, his dependant deities. 1:782 On this occasion hither they resort; 1:783 To pay their homage, and to make their court. 1:784 All doubtful, whether to congratulate 1:785 His daughter's honour, or lament her fate. 1:786 Sperchaeus, crown'd with poplar, first appears; 1:787 Then old Apidanus came crown'd with years: 1:788 Enipeus turbulent, Amphrysos tame; 1:789 And Aeas last with lagging waters came. 1:790 Then, of his kindred brooks, a num'rous throng 1:791 Condole his loss; and bring their urns along. 1:792 Not one was wanting of the wat'ry train, 1:793 That fill'd his flood, or mingled with the main: 1:794 But Inachus, who in his cave, alone, 1:795 Wept not another's losses, but his own, 1:796 For his dear Io, whether stray'd, or dead, 1:797 To him uncertain, doubtful tears he shed. 1:798 He sought her through the world; but sought in vain; 1:799 And no where finding, rather fear'd her slain. 1:800 Her, just returning from her father's brook, 1:801 Jove had beheld, with a desiring look: 1:802 And, Oh fair daughter of the flood, he said, 1:803 Worthy alone of Jove's imperial bed, 1:804 Happy whoever shall those charms possess; 1:805 The king of Gods (nor is thy lover less) 1:806 Invites thee to yon cooler shades; to shun 1:807 The scorching rays of the meridian sun. 1:808 Nor shalt thou tempt the dangers of the grove 1:809 Alone, without a guide; thy guide is Jove. 1:810 No puny Pow'r, but he whose high command 1:811 Is unconfin'd, who rules the seas and land; 1:812 And tempers thunder in his awful hand, 1:813 Oh fly not: for she fled from his embrace 1:814 O'er Lerna's pastures: he pursu'd the chace 1:815 Along the shades of the Lyrcaean plain; 1:816 At length the God, who never asks in vain, 1:817 Involv'd with vapours, imitating night, 1:818 Both Air, and Earth; and then suppress'd her flight, 1:819 And mingling force with love, enjoy'd the full delight. 1:820 Mean-time the jealous Juno, from on high, 1:821 Survey'd the fruitful fields of Arcady; 1:822 And wonder'd that the mist shou'd over-run 1:823 The face of day-light, and obscure the sun. 1:824 No nat'ral cause she found, from brooks, or bogs, 1:825 Or marshy lowlands, to produce the fogs; 1:826 Then round the skies she sought for Jupiter, 1:827 Her faithless husband; but no Jove was there: 1:828 Suspecting now the worst, Or I, she said, 1:829 Am much mistaken, or am much betray'd. 1:830 With fury she precipitates her flight: 1:831 Dispels the shadows of dissembled night; 1:832 And to the day restores his native light. 1:833 Th' Almighty Leacher, careful to prevent 1:834 The consequence, foreseeing her descent, 1:835 Transforms his mistress in a trice; and now 1:836 In Io's place appears a lovely cow. 1:837 So sleek her skin, so faultless was her make, 1:838 Ev'n Juno did unwilling pleasure take 1:839 To see so fair a rival of her love; 1:840 And what she was, and whence, enquir'd of Jove: 1:841 Of what fair herd, and from what pedigree? 1:842 The God, half caught, was forc'd upon a lye: 1:843 And said she sprung from Earth. She took the word, 1:844 And begg'd the beauteous heyfer of her lord. 1:845 What should he do? 'twas equal shame to Jove 1:846 Or to relinquish, or betray his love: 1:847 Yet to refuse so slight a gift, wou'd be 1:848 But more t' increase his consort's jealousie: 1:849 Thus fear, and love, by turns, his heart assail'd; 1:850 And stronger love had sure, at length, prevail'd: 1:851 But some faint hope remain'd, his jealous queen 1:852 Had not the mistress through the heyfer seen. 1:853 The cautious Goddess, of her gift possest, 1:854 Yet harbour'd anxious thoughts within her breast; 1:855 As she who knew the falshood of her Jove; 1:856 And justly fear'd some new relapse of love. 1:857 Which to prevent, and to secure her care, 1:858 To trusty Argus she commits the fair. 1:859 The head of Argus (as with stars the skies) 1:860 Was compass'd round, and wore an hundred eyes. 1:861 But two by turns their lids in slumber steep; 1:862 The rest on duty still their station keep; 1:863 Nor cou'd the total constellation sleep. 1:864 Thus, ever present, to his eyes, and mind, 1:865 His charge was still before him, tho' behind. 1:866 In fields he suffer'd her to feed by Day, 1:867 But when the setting sun to night gave way, 1:868 The captive cow he summon'd with a call; 1:869 And drove her back, and ty'd her to the stall. 1:870 On leaves of trees, and bitter herbs she fed, 1:871 Heav'n was her canopy, bare earth her bed: 1:872 So hardly lodg'd, and to digest her food, 1:873 She drank from troubled streams, defil'd with mud. 1:874 Her woeful story fain she wou'd have told, 1:875 With hands upheld, but had no hands to hold. 1:876 Her head to her ungentle keeper bow'd, 1:877 She strove to speak, she spoke not, but she low'd: 1:878 Affrighted with the noise, she look'd around, 1:879 And seem'd t' inquire the author of the sound. 1:880 Once on the banks where often she had play'd 1:881 (Her father's banks), she came, and there survey'd 1:882 Her alter'd visage, and her branching head; 1:883 And starting, from her self she wou'd have fled. 1:884 Her fellow nymphs, familiar to her eyes, 1:885 Beheld, but knew her not in this disguise. 1:886 Ev'n Inachus himself was ignorant; 1:887 And in his daughter, did his daughter want. 1:888 She follow'd where her fellows went, as she 1:889 Were still a partner of the company: 1:890 They stroak her neck; the gentle heyfer stands, 1:891 And her neck offers to their stroaking hands. 1:892 Her father gave her grass; the grass she took; 1:893 And lick'd his palms, and cast a piteous look; 1:894 And in the language of her eyes, she spoke. 1:895 She wou'd have told her name, and ask'd relief, 1:896 But wanting words, in tears she tells her grief. 1:897 Which, with her foot she makes him understand; 1:898 And prints the name of Io in the sand. 1:899 Ah wretched me! her mournful father cry'd; 1:900 She, with a sigh, to wretched me reply'd: 1:901 About her milk-white neck, his arms he threw; 1:902 And wept, and then these tender words ensue. 1:903 And art thou she, whom I have sought around 1:904 The world, and have at length so sadly found? 1:905 So found, is worse than lost: with mutual words 1:906 Thou answer'st not, no voice thy tongue affords: 1:907 But sighs are deeply drawn from out thy breast; 1:908 And speech deny'd, by lowing is express'd. 1:909 Unknowing, I prepar'd thy bridal bed; 1:910 With empty hopes of happy issue fed. 1:911 But now the husband of a herd must be 1:912 Thy mate, and bell'wing sons thy progeny. 1:913 Oh, were I mortal, death might bring relief: 1:914 But now my God-head but extends my grief: 1:915 Prolongs my woes, of which no end I see, 1:916 And makes me curse my immortality! 1:917 More had he said, but fearful of her stay, 1:918 The starry guardian drove his charge away, 1:919 To some fresh pasture; on a hilly height 1:920 He sate himself, and kept her still in sight. The Eyes of Argus transform'd into a Peacock's Train 1:922 Now Jove no longer cou'd her suff'rings bear; 1:923 But call'd in haste his airy messenger, 1:924 The son of Maia, with severe decree 1:925 To kill the keeper, and to set her free. 1:926 With all his harness soon the God was sped, 1:927 His flying hat was fastned on his head, 1:928 Wings on his heels were hung, and in his hand 1:929 He holds the vertue of the snaky wand. 1:930 The liquid air his moving pinions wound, 1:931 And, in the moment, shoot him on the ground. 1:932 Before he came in sight, the crafty God 1:933 His wings dismiss'd, but still retain'd his rod: 1:934 That sleep-procuring wand wise Hermes took, 1:935 But made it seem to sight a sherpherd's hook. 1:936 With this, he did a herd of goats controul; 1:937 Which by the way he met, and slily stole. 1:938 Clad like a country swain, he pip'd, and sung; 1:939 And playing, drove his jolly troop along. 1:940 With pleasure, Argus the musician heeds; 1:941 But wonders much at those new vocal reeds. 1:942 And whosoe'er thou art, my friend, said he, 1:943 Up hither drive thy goats, and play by me: 1:944 This hill has browz for them, and shade for thee. 1:945 The God, who was with ease induc'd to climb, 1:946 Began discourse to pass away the time; 1:947 And still betwixt, his tuneful pipe he plies; 1:948 And watch'd his hour, to close the keeper's eyes. 1:949 With much ado, he partly kept awake; 1:950 Not suff'ring all his eyes repose to take: 1:951 And ask'd the stranger, who did reeds invent, 1:952 And whence began so rare an instrument? The Transformation of Syrinx into Reeds 1:953 Then Hermes thus: A nymph of late there was 1:954 Whose heav'nly form her fellows did surpass. 1:955 The pride and joy of fair Arcadia's plains, 1:956 Belov'd by deities, ador'd by swains: 1:957 Syrinx her name, by Sylvans oft pursu'd, 1:958 As oft she did the lustful Gods delude: 1:959 The rural, and the woodland Pow'rs disdain'd; 1:960 With Cynthia hunted, and her rites maintain'd: 1:961 Like Phoebe clad, even Phoebe's self she seems, 1:962 So tall, so streight, such well-proportion'd limbs: 1:963 The nicest eye did no distinction know, 1:964 But that the goddess bore a golden bow: 1:965 Distinguish'd thus, the sight she cheated too. 1:966 Descending from Lycaeus, Pan admires 1:967 The matchless nymph, and burns with new desires. 1:968 A crown of pine upon his head he wore; 1:969 And thus began her pity to implore. 1:970 But e'er he thus began, she took her flight 1:971 So swift, she was already out of sight. 1:972 Nor stay'd to hear the courtship of the God; 1:973 But bent her course to Ladon's gentle flood: 1:974 There by the river stopt, and tir'd before; 1:975 Relief from water nymphs her pray'rs implore. 1:976 Now while the lustful God, with speedy pace, 1:977 Just thought to strain her in a strict embrace, 1:978 He fill'd his arms with reeds, new rising on the place. 1:979 And while he sighs, his ill success to find, 1:980 The tender canes were shaken by the wind; 1:981 And breath'd a mournful air, unheard before; 1:982 That much surprizing Pan, yet pleas'd him more. 1:983 Admiring this new musick, Thou, he said, 1:984 Who canst not be the partner of my bed, 1:985 At least shall be the confort of my mind: 1:986 And often, often to my lips be joyn'd. 1:987 He form'd the reeds, proportion'd as they are, 1:988 Unequal in their length, and wax'd with care, 1:989 They still retain the name of his ungrateful fair. 1:990 While Hermes pip'd, and sung, and told his tale, 1:991 The keeper's winking eyes began to fail, 1:992 And drowsie slumber on the lids to creep; 1:993 'Till all the watchman was at length asleep. 1:994 Then soon the God his voice, and song supprest; 1:995 And with his pow'rful rod confirm'd his rest: 1:996 Without delay his crooked faulchion drew, 1:997 And at one fatal stroke the keeper slew. 1:998 Down from the rock fell the dissever'd head, 1:999 Opening its eyes in death; and falling, bled; 1:1000 And mark'd the passage with a crimson trail: 1:1001 Thus Argus lies in pieces, cold, and pale; 1:1002 And all his hundred eyes, with all their light, 1:1003 Are clos'd at once, in one perpetual night. 1:1004 These Juno takes, that they no more may fail, 1:1005 And spreads them in her peacock's gaudy tail. 1:1006 Impatient to revenge her injur'd bed, 1:1007 She wreaks her anger on her rival's head; 1:1008 With Furies frights her from her native home; 1:1009 And drives her gadding, round the world to roam: 1:1010 Nor ceas'd her madness, and her flight, before 1:1011 She touch'd the limits of the Pharian shore. 1:1012 At length, arriving on the banks of Nile, 1:1013 Wearied with length of ways, and worn with toil, 1:1014 She laid her down; and leaning on her knees, 1:1015 Invok'd the cause of all her miseries: 1:1016 And cast her languishing regards above, 1:1017 For help from Heav'n, and her ungrateful Jove. 1:1018 She sigh'd, she wept, she low'd; 'twas all she cou'd; 1:1019 And with unkindness seem'd to tax the God. 1:1020 Last, with an humble pray'r, she beg'd repose, 1:1021 Or death at least, to finish all her woes. 1:1022 Jove heard her vows, and with a flatt'ring look, 1:1023 In her behalf to jealous Juno spoke, 1:1024 He cast his arms about her neck, and said, 1:1025 Dame, rest secure; no more thy nuptial bed 1:1026 This nymph shall violate; by Styx I swear, 1:1027 And every oath that binds the Thunderer. 1:1028 The Goddess was appeas'd; and at the word 1:1029 Was Io to her former shape restor'd. 1:1030 The rugged hair began to fall away; 1:1031 The sweetness of her eyes did only stay, 1:1032 Tho' not so large; her crooked horns decrease; 1:1033 The wideness of her jaws and nostrils cease: 1:1034 Her hoofs to hands return, in little space: 1:1035 The five long taper fingers take their place, 1:1036 And nothing of the heyfer now is seen, 1:1037 Beside the native whiteness of the skin. 1:1038 Erected on her feet she walks again: 1:1039 And two the duty of the four sustain. 1:1040 She tries her tongue; her silence softly breaks, 1:1041 And fears her former lowings when she speaks: 1:1042 A Goddess now, through all th' Aegyptian State: 1:1043 And serv'd by priests, who in white linnen wait. 1:1044 Her son was Epaphus, at length believ'd 1:1045 The son of Jove, and as a God receiv'd; 1:1046 With sacrifice ador'd, and publick pray'rs, 1:1047 He common temples with his mother shares. 1:1048 Equal in years, and rival in renown 1:1049 With Epaphus, the youthful Phaeton 1:1050 Like honour claims; and boasts his sire the sun. 1:1051 His haughty looks, and his assuming air, 1:1052 The son of Isis could no longer bear: 1:1053 Thou tak'st thy mother's word too far, said he, 1:1054 And hast usurp'd thy boasted pedigree. 1:1055 Go, base pretender to a borrow'd name. 1:1056 Thus tax'd, he blush'd with anger, and with shame; 1:1057 But shame repress'd his rage: the daunted youth 1:1058 Soon seeks his mother, and enquires the truth: 1:1059 Mother, said he, this infamy was thrown 1:1060 By Epaphus on you, and me your son. 1:1061 He spoke in publick, told it to my face; 1:1062 Nor durst I vindicate the dire disgrace: 1:1063 Even I, the bold, the sensible of wrong, 1:1064 Restrain'd by shame, was forc'd to hold my tongue. 1:1065 To hear an open slander, is a curse: 1:1066 But not to find an answer, is a worse. 1:1067 If I am Heav'n-begot, assert your son 1:1068 By some sure sign; and make my father known, 1:1069 To right my honour, and redeem your own. 1:1070 He said, and saying cast his arms about 1:1071 Her neck, and beg'd her to resolve the doubt. 1:1072 'Tis hard to judge if Clymene were mov'd 1:1073 More by his pray'r, whom she so dearly lov'd, 1:1074 Or more with fury fir'd, to find her name 1:1075 Traduc'd, and made the sport of common fame. 1:1076 She stretch'd her arms to Heav'n, and fix'd her eyes 1:1077 On that fair planet that adorns the skies; 1:1078 Now by those beams, said she, whose holy fires 1:1079 Consume my breast, and kindle my desires; 1:1080 By him, who sees us both, and clears our sight, 1:1081 By him, the publick minister of light, 1:1082 I swear that Sun begot thee; if I lye, 1:1083 Let him his chearful influence deny: 1:1084 Let him no more this perjur'd creature see; 1:1085 And shine on all the world but only me. 1:1086 If still you doubt your mother's innocence, 1:1087 His eastern mansion is not far from hence; 1:1088 With little pains you to his Leve go, 1:1089 And from himself your parentage may know. 1:1090 With joy th' ambitious youth his mother heard, 1:1091 And eager, for the journey soon prepar'd. 1:1092 He longs the world beneath him to survey; 1:1093 To guide the chariot; and to give the day: 1:1094 From Meroe's burning sands he bends his course, 1:1095 Nor less in India feels his father's force: 1:1096 His travel urging, till he came in sight; 1:1097 And saw the palace by the purple light. BOOK THE SECOND The Story of Phaeton 2:1 The Sun's bright palace, on high columns rais'd, 2:2 With burnish'd gold and flaming jewels blaz'd; 2:3 The folding gates diffus'd a silver light, 2:4 And with a milder gleam refresh'd the sight; 2:5 Of polish'd iv'ry was the cov'ring wrought: 2:6 The matter vied not with the sculptor's thought, 2:7 For in the portal was display'd on high 2:8 (The work of Vulcan) a fictitious sky; 2:9 A waving sea th' inferiour Earth embrac'd, 2:10 And Gods and Goddesses the waters grac'd. 2:11 Aegeon here a mighty whale bestrode; 2:12 Triton, and Proteus (the deceiving God) 2:13 With Doris here were carv'd, and all her train, 2:14 Some loosely swimming in the figur'd main, 2:15 While some on rocks their dropping hair divide, 2:16 And some on fishes through the waters glide: 2:17 Tho' various features did the sisters grace, 2:18 A sister's likeness was in ev'ry face. 2:19 On Earth a diff'rent landskip courts the eyes, 2:20 Men, towns, and beasts in distant prospects rise, 2:21 And nymphs, and streams, and woods, and rural deities. 2:22 O'er all, the Heav'n's refulgent image shines; 2:23 On either gate were six engraven signs. 2:24 Here Phaeton still gaining on th' ascent, 2:25 To his suspected father's palace went, 2:26 'Till pressing forward through the bright abode, 2:27 He saw at distance the illustrious God: 2:28 He saw at distance, or the dazling light 2:29 Had flash'd too strongly on his aking sight. 2:30 The God sits high, exalted on a throne 2:31 Of blazing gems, with purple garments on; 2:32 The Hours, in order rang'd on either hand, 2:33 And Days, and Months, and Years, and Ages stand. 2:34 Here Spring appears with flow'ry chaplets bound; 2:35 Here Summer in her wheaten garland crown'd; 2:36 Here Autumn the rich trodden grapes besmear; 2:37 And hoary Winter shivers in the reer. 2:38 Phoebus beheld the youth from off his throne; 2:39 That eye, which looks on all, was fix'd in one. 2:40 He saw the boy's confusion in his face, 2:41 Surpriz'd at all the wonders of the place; 2:42 And cries aloud, "What wants my son? for know 2:43 My son thou art, and I must call thee so." 2:44 "Light of the world," the trembling youth replies, 2:45 "Illustrious parent! since you don't despise 2:46 The parent's name, some certain token give, 2:47 That I may Clymene's proud boast believe, 2:48 Nor longer under false reproaches grieve." 2:49 The tender sire was touch'd with what he said, 2:50 And flung the blaze of glories from his head, 2:51 And bid the youth advance: "My son," said he, 2:52 "Come to thy father's arms! for Clymene 2:53 Has told thee true; a parent's name I own, 2:54 And deem thee worthy to be called my son. 2:55 As a sure proof, make some request, and I, 2:56 Whate'er it be, with that request comply; 2:57 By Styx I swear, whose waves are hid in night, 2:58 And roul impervious to my piercing sight." 2:59 The youth transported, asks, without delay, 2:60 To guide the sun's bright chariot for a day. 2:61 The God repented of the oath he took, 2:62 For anguish thrice his radiant head he shook; 2:63 "My son," says he, "some other proof require, 2:64 Rash was my promise, rash is thy desire. 2:65 I'd fain deny this wish, which thou hast made, 2:66 Or, what I can't deny, wou'd fain disswade. 2:67 Too vast and hazardous the task appears, 2:68 Nor suited to thy strength, nor to thy years. 2:69 Thy lot is mortal, but thy wishes fly 2:70 Beyond the province of mortality: 2:71 There is not one of all the Gods that dares 2:72 (However skill'd in other great affairs) 2:73 To mount the burning axle-tree, but I; 2:74 Not Jove himself, the ruler of the sky, 2:75 That hurles the three-fork'd thunder from above, 2:76 Dares try his strength: yet who so strong as Jove? 2:77 The steeds climb up the first ascent with pain, 2:78 And when the middle firmament they gain, 2:79 If downward from the Heav'ns my head I bow, 2:80 And see the Earth and Ocean hang below, 2:81 Ev'n I am seiz'd with horror and affright, 2:82 And my own heart misgives me at the sight. 2:83 A mighty downfal steeps the ev'ning stage, 2:84 And steddy reins must curb the horses' rage. 2:85 Tethys herself has fear'd to see me driv'n 2:86 Down headlong from the precipice of Heav'n. 2:87 Besides, consider what impetuous force 2:88 Turns stars and planets in a diff'rent course. 2:89 I steer against their motions; nor am I 2:90 Born back by all the current of the sky. 2:91 But how cou'd you resist the orbs that roul 2:92 In adverse whirls, and stem the rapid pole? 2:93 But you perhaps may hope for pleasing woods, 2:94 And stately dooms, and cities fill'd with Gods; 2:95 While through a thousand snares your progress lies, 2:96 Where forms of starry monsters stock the skies: 2:97 For, shou'd you hit the doubtful way aright, 2:98 The bull with stooping horns stands opposite; 2:99 Next him the bright Haemonian bow is strung, 2:100 And next, the lion's grinning visage hung: 2:101 The scorpion's claws, here clasp a wide extent; 2:102 And here the crab's in lesser clasps are bent. 2:103 Nor wou'd you find it easie to compose 2:104 The mettled steeds, when from their nostrils flows 2:105 The scorching fire, that in their entrails glows. 2:106 Ev'n I their head-strong fury scarce restrain, 2:107 When they grow warm and restif to the rein. 2:108 Let not my son a fatal gift require, 2:109 But, O! in time, recall your rash desire; 2:110 You ask a gift that may your parent tell, 2:111 Let these my fears your parentage reveal; 2:112 And learn a father from a father's care: 2:113 Look on my face; or if my heart lay bare, 2:114 Cou'd you but look, you'd read the father there. 2:115 Chuse out a gift from seas, or Earth, or skies, 2:116 For open to your wish all Nature lies, 2:117 Only decline this one unequal task, 2:118 For 'tis a mischief, not a gift, you ask. 2:119 You ask a real mischief, Phaeton: 2:120 Nay hang not thus about my neck, my son: 2:121 I grant your wish, and Styx has heard my voice, 2:122 Chuse what you will, but make a wiser choice." 2:123 Thus did the God th' unwary youth advise; 2:124 But he still longs to travel through the skies. 2:125 When the fond father (for in vain he pleads) 2:126 At length to the Vulcanian Chariot leads. 2:127 A golden axle did the work uphold, 2:128 Gold was the beam, the wheels were orb'd with gold. 2:129 The spokes in rows of silver pleas'd the sight, 2:130 The seat with party-colour'd gems was bright; 2:131 Apollo shin'd amid the glare of light. 2:132 The youth with secret joy the work surveys, 2:133 When now the moon disclos'd her purple rays; 2:134 The stars were fled, for Lucifer had chased 2:135 The stars away, and fled himself at last. 2:136 Soon as the father saw the rosy morn, 2:137 And the moon shining with a blunter horn, 2:138 He bid the nimble Hours, without delay, 2:139 Bring forth the steeds; the nimble Hours obey: 2:140 From their full racks the gen'rous steeds retire, 2:141 Dropping ambrosial foams, and snorting fire. 2:142 Still anxious for his son, the God of day, 2:143 To make him proof against the burning ray, 2:144 His temples with celestial ointment wet, 2:145 Of sov'reign virtue to repel the heat; 2:146 Then fix'd the beamy circle on his head, 2:147 And fetch'd a deep foreboding sigh, and said, 2:148 "Take this at least, this last advice, my son, 2:149 Keep a stiff rein, and move but gently on: 2:150 The coursers of themselves will run too fast, 2:151 Your art must be to moderate their haste. 2:152 Drive 'em not on directly through the skies, 2:153 But where the Zodiac's winding circle lies, 2:154 Along the midmost Zone; but sally forth 2:155 Nor to the distant south, nor stormy north. 2:156 The horses' hoofs a beaten track will show, 2:157 But neither mount too high, nor sink too low. 2:158 That no new fires, or Heav'n or Earth infest; 2:159 Keep the mid way, the middle way is best. 2:160 Nor, where in radiant folds the serpent twines, 2:161 Direct your course, nor where the altar shines. 2:162 Shun both extreams; the rest let Fortune guide, 2:163 And better for thee than thy self provide! 2:164 See, while I speak, the shades disperse away, 2:165 Aurora gives the promise of a day; 2:166 I'm call'd, nor can I make a longer stay. 2:167 Snatch up the reins; or still th' attempt forsake, 2:168 And not my chariot, but my counsel, take, 2:169 While yet securely on the Earth you stand; 2:170 Nor touch the horses with too rash a hand. 2:171 Let me alone to light the world, while you 2:172 Enjoy those beams which you may safely view." 2:173 He spoke in vain; the youth with active heat 2:174 And sprightly vigour vaults into the seat; 2:175 And joys to hold the reins, and fondly gives 2:176 Those thanks his father with remorse receives. 2:177 Mean-while the restless horses neigh'd aloud, 2:178 Breathing out fire, and pawing where they stood. 2:179 Tethys, not knowing what had past, gave way, 2:180 And all the waste of Heav'n before 'em lay. 2:181 They spring together out, and swiftly bear 2:182 The flying youth thro' clouds and yielding air; 2:183 With wingy speed outstrip the eastern wind, 2:184 And leave the breezes of the morn behind. 2:185 The youth was light, nor cou'd he fill the seat, 2:186 Or poise the chariot with its wonted weight: 2:187 But as at sea th' unballass'd vessel rides, 2:188 Cast to and fro, the sport of winds and tides; 2:189 So in the bounding chariot toss'd on high, 2:190 The youth is hurry'd headlong through the sky. 2:191 Soon as the steeds perceive it, they forsake 2:192 Their stated course, and leave the beaten track. 2:193 The youth was in a maze, nor did he know 2:194 Which way to turn the reins, or where to go; 2:195 Nor wou'd the horses, had he known, obey. 2:196 Then the sev'n stars first felt Apollo's ray, 2:197 And wish'd to dip in the forbidden sea. 2:198 The folded serpent next the frozen pole, 2:199 Stiff and benum'd before, began to rowle, 2:200 And raged with inward heat, and threaten'd war, 2:201 And shot a redder light from ev'ry star; 2:202 Nay, and 'tis said Bootes too, that fain 2:203 Thou woud'st have fled, tho' cumber'd with thy wane. 2:204 Th' unhappy youth then, bending down his head, 2:205 Saw Earth and Ocean far beneath him spread. 2:206 His colour chang'd, he startled at the sight, 2:207 And his eyes darken'd by too great a light. 2:208 Now cou'd he wish the fiery steeds untry'd, 2:209 His birth obscure, and his request deny'd: 2:210 Now wou'd he Merops for his father own, 2:211 And quit his boasted kindred to the sun. 2:212 So fares the pilot, when his ship is tost 2:213 In troubled seas, and all its steerage lost, 2:214 He gives her to the winds, and in despair 2:215 Seeks his last refuge in the Gods and pray'r. 2:216 What cou'd he do? his eyes, if backward cast, 2:217 Find a long path he had already past; 2:218 If forward, still a longer path they find: 2:219 Both he compares, and measures in his mind; 2:220 And sometimes casts an eye upon the east, 2:221 And sometimes looks on the forbidden west, 2:222 The horses' names he knew not in the fright, 2:223 Nor wou'd he loose the reins, nor cou'd he hold 'em right. 2:224 Now all the horrors of the Heav'ns he spies, 2:225 And monstrous shadows of prodigious size, 2:226 That, deck'd with stars, lye scatter'd o'er the skies. 2:227 There is a place above, where Scorpio bent 2:228 In tail and arms surrounds a vast extent; 2:229 In a wide circuit of the Heav'ns he shines, 2:230 And fills the space of two coelestial signs. 2:231 Soon as the youth beheld him vex'd with heat 2:232 Brandish his sting, and in his poison sweat, 2:233 Half dead with sudden fear he dropt the reins; 2:234 The horses felt 'em loose upon their mains, 2:235 And, flying out through all the plains above, 2:236 Ran uncontroul'd where-e're their fury drove; 2:237 Rush'd on the stars, and through a pathless way 2:238 Of unknown regions hurry'd on the day. 2:239 And now above, and now below they flew, 2:240 And near the Earth the burning chariot drew. 2:241 The clouds disperse in fumes, the wond'ring Moon 2:242 Beholds her brother's steeds beneath her own; 2:243 The highlands smoak, cleft by the piercing rays, 2:244 Or, clad with woods, in their own fewel blaze. 2:245 Next o'er the plains, where ripen'd harvests grow, 2:246 The running conflagration spreads below. 2:247 But these are trivial ills: whole cities burn, 2:248 And peopled kingdoms into ashes turn. 2:249 The mountains kindle as the car draws near, 2:250 Athos and Tmolus red with fires appear; 2:251 Oeagrian Haemus (then a single name) 2:252 And virgin Helicon increase the flame; 2:253 Taurus and Oete glare amid the sky, 2:254 And Ida, spight of all her fountains, dry. 2:255 Eryx and Othrys, and Cithaeron, glow, 2:256 And Rhodope, no longer cloath'd in snow; 2:257 High Pindus, Mimas, and Parnassus, sweat, 2:258 And Aetna rages with redoubled heat. 2:259 Ev'n Scythia, through her hoary regions warm'd, 2:260 In vain with all her native frost was arm'd. 2:261 Cover'd with flames the tow'ring Appennine, 2:262 And Caucasus, and proud Olympus, shine; 2:263 And, where the long-extended Alpes aspire, 2:264 Now stands a huge continu'd range of fire. 2:265 Th' astonisht youth, where-e'er his eyes cou'd turn, 2:266 Beheld the universe around him burn: 2:267 The world was in a blaze; nor cou'd he bear 2:268 The sultry vapours and the scorching air, 2:269 Which from below, as from a furnace, flow'd; 2:270 And now the axle-tree beneath him glow'd: 2:271 Lost in the whirling clouds that round him broke, 2:272 And white with ashes, hov'ring in the smoke. 2:273 He flew where-e'er the horses drove, nor knew 2:274 Whither the horses drove, or where he flew. 2:275 'Twas then, they say, the swarthy Moor begun 2:276 To change his hue, and blacken in the sun. 2:277 Then Libya first, of all her moisture drain'd, 2:278 Became a barren waste, a wild of sand. 2:279 The water-nymphs lament their empty urns, 2:280 Boeotia, robb's of silve Dirce, mourns, 2:281 Corinth Pyrene's wasted spring bewails, 2:282 And Argos grieves whilst Amymone fails. 2:283 The floods are drain'd from ev'ry distant coast, 2:284 Ev'n Tanais, tho' fix'd in ice, was lost. 2:285 Enrag'd Caicus and Lycormas roar, 2:286 And Xanthus, fated to be burnt once more. 2:287 The fam'd Maeander, that unweary'd strays 2:288 Through mazy windings, smoaks in ev'ry maze. 2:289 From his lov'd Babylon Euphrates flies; 2:290 The big-swoln Ganges and the Danube rise 2:291 In thick'ning fumes, and darken half the skies. 2:292 In flames Ismenos and the Phasis roul'd, 2:293 And Tagus floating in his melted gold. 2:294 The swans, that on Cayster often try'd 2:295 Their tuneful songs, now sung their last and dy'd. 2:296 The frighted Nile ran off, and under ground 2:297 Conceal'd his head, nor can it yet be found: 2:298 His sev'n divided currents all are dry, 2:299 And where they row'ld, sev'n gaping trenches lye: 2:300 No more the Rhine or Rhone their course maintain, 2:301 Nor Tiber, of his promis'd empire vain. 2:302 The ground, deep-cleft, admits the dazling ray, 2:303 And startles Pluto with the flash of day. 2:304 The seas shrink in, and to the sight disclose 2:305 Wide naked plains, where once their billows rose; 2:306 Their rocks are all discover'd, and increase 2:307 The number of the scatter'd Cyclades. 2:308 The fish in sholes about the bottom creep, 2:309 Nor longer dares the crooked dolphin leap 2:310 Gasping for breath, th' unshapen Phocae die, 2:311 And on the boiling wave extended lye. 2:312 Nereus, and Doris with her virgin train, 2:313 Seek out the last recesses of the main; 2:314 Beneath unfathomable depths they faint, 2:315 And secret in their gloomy caverns pant. 2:316 Stern Neptune thrice above the waves upheld 2:317 His face, and thrice was by the flames repell'd. 2:318 The Earth at length, on ev'ry side embrac'd 2:319 With scalding seas that floated round her waste, 2:320 When now she felt the springs and rivers come, 2:321 And crowd within the hollow of her womb, 2:322 Up-lifted to the Heav'ns her blasted head, 2:323 And clapt her hand upon her brows, and said 2:324 (But first, impatient of the sultry heat, 2:325 Sunk deeper down, and sought a cooler seat): 2:326 "If you, great king of Gods, my death approve, 2:327 And I deserve it, let me die by Jove; 2:328 If I must perish by the force of fire, 2:329 Let me transfix'd with thunder-bolts expire. 2:330 See, whilst I speak, my breath the vapours choak 2:331 (For now her face lay wrapt in clouds of smoak), 2:332 See my singe'd hair, behold my faded eye, 2:333 And wither'd face, where heaps of cinders lye! 2:334 And does the plow for this my body tear? 2:335 This the reward for all the fruits I bear, 2:336 Tortur'd with rakes, and harrass'd all the year? 2:337 That herbs for cattle daily I renew, 2:338 And food for Man, and frankincense for you? 2:339 But grant me guilty; what has Neptune done? 2:340 Why are his waters boiling in the sun? 2:341 The wavy empire, which by lot was giv'n, 2:342 Why does it waste, and further shrink from Heav'n? 2:343 If I nor he your pity can provoke, 2:344 See your own Heav'ns, the Heav'ns begin to smoke! 2:345 Shou'd once the sparkles catch those bright abodes, 2:346 Destruction seizes on the Heav'ns and Gods; 2:347 Atlas becomes unequal to his freight, 2:348 And almost faints beneath the glowing weight. 2:349 If Heav'n, and Earth, and sea, together burn, 2:350 All must again into their chaos turn. 2:351 Apply some speedy cure, prevent our fate, 2:352 And succour Nature, ere it be too late." 2:353 She cea'sd, for choak'd with vapours round her spread, 2:354 Down to the deepest shades she sunk her head. 2:355 Jove call'd to witness ev'ry Pow'r above, 2:356 And ev'n the God, whose son the chariot drove, 2:357 That what he acts he is compell'd to do, 2:358 Or universal ruin must ensue. 2:359 Strait he ascends the high aetherial throne, 2:360 From whence he us'd to dart his thunder down, 2:361 From whence his show'rs and storms he us'd to pour, 2:362 But now cou'd meet with neither storm nor show'r. 2:363 Then, aiming at the youth, with lifted hand, 2:364 Full at his head he hurl'd the forky brand, 2:365 In dreadful thund'rings. Thus th' almighty sire 2:366 Suppress'd the raging of the fires with fire. 2:367 At once from life and from the chariot driv'n, 2:368 Th' ambitious boy fell thunder-struck from Heav'n. 2:369 The horses started with a sudden bound, 2:370 And flung the reins and chariot to the ground: 2:371 The studded harness from their necks they broke, 2:372 Here fell a wheel, and here a silver spoke, 2:373 Here were the beam and axle torn away; 2:374 And, scatter'd o'er the Earth, the shining fragments lay. 2:375 The breathless Phaeton, with flaming hair, 2:376 Shot from the chariot, like a falling star, 2:377 That in a summer's ev'ning from the top 2:378 Of Heav'n drops down, or seems at least to drop; 2:379 'Till on the Po his blasted corps was hurl'd, 2:380 Far from his country, in the western world. Phaeton's Sisters transform'd into Trees 2:381 The Latian nymphs came round him, and, amaz'd, 2:382 On the dead youth, transfix'd with thunder, gaz'd; 2:383 And, whilst yet smoaking from the bolt he lay, 2:384 His shatter'd body to a tomb convey, 2:385 And o'er the tomb an epitaph devise: 2:386 "Here he, who drove the sun's bright chariot, lies; 2:387 His father's fiery steeds he cou'd not guide, 2:388 But in the glorious enterprize he dy'd." 2:389 Apollo hid his face, and pin'd for grief, 2:390 And, if the story may deserve belief, 2:391 The space of one whole day is said to run, 2:392 From morn to wonted ev'n, without a sun: 2:393 The burning ruins, with a fainter ray, 2:394 Supply the sun, and counterfeit a day, 2:395 A day, that still did Nature's face disclose: 2:396 This comfort from the mighty mischief rose. 2:397 But Clymene, enrag'd with grief, laments, 2:398 And as her grief inspires, her passion vents: 2:399 Wild for her son, and frantick in her woes, 2:400 With hair dishevel'd round the world she goes, 2:401 To seek where-e'er his body might be cast; 2:402 'Till, on the borders of the Po, at last 2:403 The name inscrib'd on the new tomb appears. 2:404 The dear dear name she bathes in flowing tears, 2:405 Hangs o'er the tomb, unable to depart, 2:406 And hugs the marble to her throbbing heart. 2:407 Her daughters too lament, and sigh, and mourn 2:408 (A fruitless tribute to their brother's urn), 2:409 And beat their naked bosoms, and complain, 2:410 And call aloud for Phaeton in vain: 2:411 All the long night their mournful watch they keep, 2:412 And all the day stand round the tomb, and weep. 2:413 Four times, revolving, the full moon return'd; 2:414 So long the mother and the daughters mourn'd: 2:415 When now the eldest, Phaethusa, strove 2:416 To rest her weary limbs, but could not move; 2:417 Lampetia wou'd have help'd her, but she found 2:418 Her self with-held, and rooted to the ground: 2:419 A third in wild affliction, as she grieves, 2:420 Wou'd rend her hair, but fills her hands with leaves; 2:421 One sees her thighs transform'd, another views 2:422 Her arms shot out, and branching into boughs. 2:423 And now their legs, and breasts, and bodies stood 2:424 Crusted with bark, and hard'ning into wood; 2:425 But still above were female heads display'd, 2:426 And mouths, that call'd the mother to their aid. 2:427 What cou'd, alas! the weeping mother do? 2:428 From this to that with eager haste she flew, 2:429 And kiss'd her sprouting daughters as they grew. 2:430 She tears the bark that to each body cleaves, 2:431 And from their verdant fingers strips the leaves: 2:432 The blood came trickling, where she tore away 2:433 The leaves and bark: the maids were heard to say, 2:434 "Forbear, mistaken parent, oh! forbear; 2:435 A wounded daughter in each tree you tear; 2:436 Farewell for ever." Here the bark encreas'd, 2:437 Clos'd on their faces, and their words suppress'd. 2:438 The new-made trees in tears of amber run, 2:439 Which, harden'd into value by the sun, 2:440 Distill for ever on the streams below: 2:441 The limpid streams their radiant treasure show, 2:442 Mixt in the sand; whence the rich drops convey'd 2:443 Shine in the dress of the bright Latian maid. The Transformation of Cycnus into a Swan 2:444 Cycnus beheld the nymphs transform'd, ally'd 2:445 To their dead brother on the mortal side, 2:446 In friendship and affection nearer bound; 2:447 He left the cities and the realms he own'd, 2:448 Thro' pathless fields and lonely shores to range, 2:449 And woods made thicker by the sisters' change. 2:450 Whilst here, within the dismal gloom, alone, 2:451 The melancholy monarch made his moan, 2:452 His voice was lessen'd, as he try'd to speak, 2:453 And issu'd through a long-extended neck; 2:454 His hair transforms to down, his fingers meet 2:455 In skinny films, and shape his oary feet; 2:456 From both his sides the wings and feathers break; 2:457 And from his mouth proceeds a blunted beak: 2:458 All Cycnus now into a Swan was turn'd, 2:459 Who, still remembring how his kinsman burn'd, 2:460 To solitary pools and lakes retires, 2:461 And loves the waters as oppos'd to fires. 2:462 Mean-while Apollo in a gloomy shade 2:463 (The native lustre of his brows decay'd) 2:464 Indulging sorrow, sickens at the sight 2:465 Of his own sun-shine, and abhors the light; 2:466 The hidden griefs, that in his bosom rise, 2:467 Sadden his looks and over-cast his eyes, 2:468 As when some dusky orb obstructs his ray, 2:469 And sullies in a dim eclipse the day. 2:470 Now secretly with inward griefs he pin'd, 2:471 Now warm resentments to his griefs he joyn'd, 2:472 And now renounc'd his office to mankind. 2:473 "Ere since the birth of time," said he, "I've born 2:474 A long ungrateful toil, without return; 2:475 Let now some other manage, if he dare, 2:476 The fiery steeds, and mount the burning carr; 2:477 Or, if none else, let Jove his fortune try, 2:478 And learn to lay his murd'ring thunder by; 2:479 Then will he own, perhaps, but own too late, 2:480 My son deserv'd not so severe a fate." 2:481 The Gods stand round him, as he mourns, and pray 2:482 He would resume the conduct of the day, 2:483 Nor let the world be lost in endless night: 2:484 Jove too himself descending from his height, 2:485 Excuses what had happen'd, and intreats, 2:486 Majestically mixing pray'rs and threats. 2:487 Prevail'd upon at length, again he took 2:488 The harness'd steeds, that still with horror shook, 2:489 And plies 'em with the lash, and whips 'em on, 2:490 And, as he whips, upbraids 'em with his son. The Story of Calisto 2:491 The day was settled in its course; and Jove 2:492 Walk'd the wide circuit of the Heavens above, 2:493 To search if any cracks or flaws were made; 2:494 But all was safe: the Earth he then survey'd, 2:495 And cast an eye on ev'ry diff'rent coast, 2:496 And ev'ry land; but on Arcadia most. 2:497 Her fields he cloath'd, and chear'd her blasted face 2:498 With running fountains, and with springing grass. 2:499 No tracks of Heav'n's destructive fire remain, 2:500 The fields and woods revive, and Nature smiles again. 2:501 But as the God walk'd to and fro the Earth, 2:502 And rais'd the plants, and gave the spring its birth, 2:503 By chance a fair Arcadian nymph he view'd, 2:504 And felt the lovely charmer in his blood. 2:505 The nymph nor spun, nor dress'd with artful pride, 2:506 Her vest was gather'd up, her hair was ty'd; 2:507 Now in her hand a slender spear she bore, 2:508 Now a light quiver on her shoulders wore; 2:509 To chaste Diana from her youth inclin'd, 2:510 The sprightly warriors of the wood she joyn'd. 2:511 Diana too the gentle huntress lov'd, 2:512 Nor was there one of all the nymphs that rov'd 2:513 O'er Maenalus, amid the maiden throng, 2:514 More favour'd once; but favour lasts not long. 2:515 The sun now shone in all its strength, and drove 2:516 The heated virgin panting to a grove; 2:517 The grove around a grateful shadow cast: 2:518 She dropt her arrows, and her bow unbrac'd; 2:519 She flung her self on the cool grassy bed; 2:520 And on the painted quiver rais'd her head, 2:521 Jove saw the charming huntress unprepar'd, 2:522 Stretch'd on the verdant turf, without a guard. 2:523 "Here I am safe," he cries, "from Juno's eye; 2:524 Or shou'd my jealous queen the theft descry, 2:525 Yet wou'd I venture on a theft like this, 2:526 And stand her rage for such, for such a bliss!" 2:527 Diana's shape and habit strait he took, 2:528 Soften'd his brows, and smooth'd his awful look, 2:529 And mildly in a female accent spoke. 2:530 "How fares my girl? How went the morning chase?" 2:531 To whom the virgin, starting from the grass, 2:532 "All hail, bright deity, whom I prefer 2:533 To Jove himself, tho' Jove himself were here." 2:534 The God was nearer than she thought, and heard 2:535 Well-pleas'd himself before himself preferr'd. 2:536 He then salutes her with a warm embrace; 2:537 And, e're she half had told the morning chase, 2:538 With love enflam'd, and eager on his bliss, 2:539 Smother'd her words, and stop'd her with a kiss; 2:540 His kisses with unwonted ardour glow'd, 2:541 Nor cou'd Diana's shape conceal the God. 2:542 The virgin did whate'er a virgin cou'd 2:543 (Sure Juno must have pardon'd, had she view'd); 2:544 With all her might against his force she strove; 2:545 But how can mortal maids contend with Jove? 2:546 Possest at length of what his heart desir'd, 2:547 Back to his Heav'ns, th' exulting God retir'd. 2:548 The lovely huntress, rising from the grass, 2:549 With down-cast eyes, and with a blushing face, 2:550 By shame confounded, and by fear dismay'd, 2:551 Flew from the covert of the guilty shade, 2:552 And almost, in the tumult of her mind, 2:553 Left her forgotten bow and shafts behind. 2:554 But now Diana, with a sprightly train 2:555 Of quiver'd virgins, bounding o'er the plain, 2:556 Call'd to the nymph; the nymph began to fear 2:557 A second fraud, a Jove disguis'd in her; 2:558 But, when she saw the sister nymphs, suppress'd 2:559 Her rising fears, and mingled with the rest. 2:560 How in the look does conscious guilt appear! 2:561 Slowly she mov'd, and loiter'd in the rear; 2:562 Nor lightly tripp'd, nor by the Goddess ran, 2:563 As once she us'd, the foremost of the train. 2:564 Her looks were flush'd, and sullen was her mien, 2:565 That sure the virgin Goddess (had she been 2:566 Aught but a virgin) must the guilt have seen. 2:567 'Tis said the nymphs saw all, and guess'd aright: 2:568 And now the moon had nine times lost her light, 2:569 When Dian, fainting in the mid-day beams, 2:570 Found a cool covert, and refreshing streams 2:571 That in soft murmurs through the forest flow'd, 2:572 And a smooth bed of shining gravel show'd. 2:573 A covert so obscure, and streams so clear, 2:574 The Goddess prais'd: "And now no spies are near 2:575 Let's strip, my gentle maids, and wash," she cries. 2:576 Pleas'd with the motion, every maid complies; 2:577 Only the blushing huntress stood confus'd, 2:578 And form'd delays, and her delays excus'd; 2:579 In vain excus'd: her fellows round her press'd, 2:580 And the reluctant nymph by force undress'd, 2:581 The naked huntress all her shame reveal'd, 2:582 In vain her hands the pregnant womb conceal'd; 2:583 "Begone!" the Goddess cries with stern disdain, 2:584 "Begone! nor dare the hallow'd stream to stain": 2:585 She fled, for ever banish'd from the train. 2:586 This Juno heard, who long had watch'd her time 2:587 To punish the detested rival's crime; 2:588 The time was come; for, to enrage her more, 2:589 A lovely boy the teeming rival bore. 2:590 The Goddess cast a furious look, and cry'd, 2:591 "It is enough! I'm fully satisfy'd! 2:592 This boy shall stand a living mark, to prove 2:593 My husband's baseness and the strumpet's love: 2:594 But vengeance shall awake: those guilty charms 2:595 That drew the Thunderer from Juno's arms, 2:596 No longer shall their wonted force retain, 2:597 Nor please the God, nor make the mortal vain." 2:598 This said, her hand within her hair she wound, 2:599 Swung her to Earth, and drag'd her on the ground: 2:600 The prostrate wretch lifts up her arms in pray'r; 2:601 Her arms grow shaggy, and deform'd with hair, 2:602 Her nails are sharpen'd into pointed claws, 2:603 Her hands bear half her weight, and turn to paws; 2:604 Her lips, that once cou'd tempt a God, begin 2:605 To grow distorted in an ugly grin. 2:606 And, lest the supplicating brute might reach 2:607 The ears of Jove, she was depriv'd of speech: 2:608 Her surly voice thro' a hoarse passage came 2:609 In savage sounds: her mind was still the same, 2:610 The furry monster fix'd her eyes above, 2:611 And heav'd her new unwieldy paws to Jove, 2:612 And beg'd his aid with inward groans; and tho' 2:613 She could not call him false, she thought him so. 2:614 How did she fear to lodge in woods alone, 2:615 And haunt the fields and meadows, once her own! 2:616 How often wou'd the deep-mouth'd dogs pursue, 2:617 Whilst from her hounds the frighted huntress flew! 2:618 How did she fear her fellow-brutes, and shun 2:619 The shaggy bear, tho' now her self was one! 2:620 How from the sight of rugged wolves retire, 2:621 Although the grim Lycaon was her sire! 2:622 But now her son had fifteen summers told, 2:623 Fierce at the chase, and in the forest bold; 2:624 When, as he beat the woods in quest of prey, 2:625 He chanc'd to rouze his mother where she lay. 2:626 She knew her son, and kept him in her sight, 2:627 And fondly gaz'd: the boy was in a fright, 2:628 And aim'd a pointed arrow at her breast, 2:629 And would have slain his mother in the beast; 2:630 But Jove forbad, and snatch'd 'em through the air 2:631 In whirlwinds up to Heav'n, and fix'd 'em there! 2:632 Where the new constellations nightly rise, 2:633 And add a lustre to the northern skies. 2:634 When Juno saw the rival in her height, 2:635 Spangled with stars, and circled round with light, 2:636 She sought old Ocean in his deep abodes, 2:637 And Tethys, both rever'd among the Gods. 2:638 They ask what brings her there: "Ne'er ask," says she, 2:639 "What brings me here, Heav'n is no place for me. 2:640 You'll see, when night has cover'd all things o'er, 2:641 Jove's starry bastard and triumphant whore 2:642 Usurp the Heav'ns; you'll see 'em proudly rowle 2:643 And who shall now on Juno's altars wait, 2:644 When those she hates grow greater by her hate? 2:645 I on the nymph a brutal form impress'd, 2:646 Jove to a goddess has transform'd the beast; 2:647 This, this was all my weak revenge could do: 2:648 But let the God his chaste amours pursue, 2:649 And, as he acted after Io's rape, 2:650 Restore th' adultress to her former shape; 2:651 Then may he cast his Juno off, and lead 2:652 The great Lycaon's offspring to his bed. 2:653 But you, ye venerable Pow'rs, be kind, 2:654 And, if my wrongs a due resentment find, 2:655 Receive not in your waves their setting beams, 2:656 Nor let the glaring strumpet taint your streams." 2:657 The Goddess ended, and her wish was giv'n. 2:658 Back she return'd in triumph up to Heav'n; 2:659 Her gawdy peacocks drew her through the skies. 2:660 Their tails were spotted with a thousand eyes; 2:661 The eyes of Argus on their tails were rang'd, 2:662 At the same time the raven's colour chang'd. The Story of Coronis, and Birth of Aesculapius 2:663 The raven once in snowy plumes was drest, 2:664 White as the whitest dove's unsully'd breast, 2:665 Fair as the guardian of the Capitol, 2:666 Soft as the swan; a large and lovely fowl; 2:667 His tongue, his prating tongue had chang'd him quite 2:668 To sooty blackness, from the purest white. 2:669 The story of his change shall here be told; 2:670 In Thessaly there liv'd a nymph of old, 2:671 Coronis nam'd; a peerless maid she shin'd, 2:672 Confest the fairest of the fairer kind. 2:673 Apollo lov'd her, 'till her guilt he knew, 2:674 While true she was, or whilst he thought her true. 2:675 But his own bird the raven chanc'd to find 2:676 The false one with a secret rival joyn'd. 2:677 Coronis begg'd him to suppress the tale, 2:678 But could not with repeated pray'rs prevail. 2:679 His milk-white pinions to the God he ply'd; 2:680 The busy daw flew with him, side by side, 2:681 And by a thousand teizing questions drew 2:682 Th' important secret from him as they flew. 2:683 The daw gave honest counsel, tho' despis'd, 2:684 And, tedious in her tattle, thus advis'd: 2:685 "Stay, silly bird, th' ill-natur'd task refuse, 2:686 Nor be the bearer of unwelcome news. 2:687 Be warn'd by my example: you discern 2:688 What now I am, and what I was shall learn. 2:689 My foolish honesty was all my crime; 2:690 Then hear my story. Once upon a time, 2:691 The two-shap'd Ericthonius had his birth 2:692 (Without a mother) from the teeming Earth; 2:693 Minerva nurs'd him, and the infant laid 2:694 Within a chest, of twining osiers made. 2:695 The daughters of king Cecrops undertook 2:696 To guard the chest, commanded not to look 2:697 On what was hid within. I stood to see 2:698 The charge obey'd, perch'd on a neighb'ring tree. 2:699 The sisters Pandrosos and Herse keep 2:700 The strict command; Aglauros needs would peep, 2:701 And saw the monstrous infant, in a fright, 2:702 And call'd her sisters to the hideous sight: 2:703 A boy's soft shape did to the waste prevail, 2:704 But the boy ended in a dragon's tail. 2:705 I told the stern Minerva all that pass'd; 2:706 But for my pains, discarded and disgrac'd, 2:707 The frowning Goddess drove me from her sight, 2:708 And for her fav'rite chose the bird of night. 2:709 Be then no tell-tale; for I think my wrong 2:710 Enough to teach a bird to hold her tongue. 2:711 But you, perhaps, may think I was remov'd, 2:712 As never by the heav'nly maid belov'd: 2:713 But I was lov'd; ask Pallas if I lye; 2:714 Tho' Pallas hate me now, she won't deny: 2:715 For I, whom in a feather'd shape you view, 2:716 Was once a maid (by Heav'n the story's true) 2:717 A blooming maid, and a king's daughter too. 2:718 A crowd of lovers own'd my beauty's charms; 2:719 My beauty was the cause of all my harms; 2:720 Neptune, as on his shores I wont to rove, 2:721 Observ'd me in my walks, and fell in love. 2:722 He made his courtship, he confess'd his pain, 2:723 And offer'd force, when all his arts were vain; 2:724 Swift he pursu'd: I ran along the strand, 2:725 'Till, spent and weary'd on the sinking sand, 2:726 I shriek'd aloud, with cries I fill'd the air 2:727 To Gods and men; nor God nor man was there: 2:728 A virgin Goddess heard a virgin's pray'r. 2:729 For, as my arms I lifted to the skies, 2:730 I saw black feathers from my fingers rise; 2:731 I strove to fling my garment on the ground; 2:732 My garment turn'd to plumes, and girt me round: 2:733 My hands to beat my naked bosom try; 2:734 Nor naked bosom now nor hands had I: 2:735 Lightly I tript, nor weary as before 2:736 Sunk in the sand, but skim'd along the shore; 2:737 'Till, rising on my wings, I was preferr'd 2:738 To be the chaste Minerva's virgin bird: 2:739 Preferr'd in vain! I am now in disgrace: 2:740 Nyctimene the owl enjoys my place. 2:741 On her incestuous life I need not dwell 2:742 (In Lesbos still the horrid tale they tell), 2:743 And of her dire amours you must have heard, 2:744 For which she now does penance in a bird, 2:745 That conscious of her shame, avoids the light, 2:746 And loves the gloomy cov'ring of the night; 2:747 The birds, where-e'er she flutters, scare away 2:748 The hooting wretch, and drive her from the day." 2:749 The raven, urg'd by such impertinence, 2:750 Grew passionate, it seems, and took offence, 2:751 And curst the harmless daw; the daw withdrew: 2:752 The raven to her injur'd patron flew, 2:753 And found him out, and told the fatal truth 2:754 Of false Coronis and the favour'd youth. 2:755 The God was wroth, the colour left his look, 2:756 The wreath his head, the harp his hand forsook: 2:757 His silver bow and feather'd shafts he took, 2:758 And lodg'd an arrow in the tender breast, 2:759 That had so often to his own been prest. 2:760 Down fell the wounded nymph, and sadly groan'd, 2:761 And pull'd his arrow reeking from the wound; 2:762 And weltring in her blood, thus faintly cry'd, 2:763 "Ah cruel God! tho' I have justly dy'd, 2:764 What has, alas! my unborn infant done, 2:765 That he should fall, and two expire in one?" 2:766 This said, in agonies she fetch'd her breath. 2:767 The God dissolves in pity at her death; 2:768 He hates the bird that made her falshood known, 2:769 And hates himself for what himself had done; 2:770 The feather'd shaft, that sent her to the Fates, 2:771 And his own hand, that sent the shaft, he hates. 2:772 Fain would he heal the wound, and ease her pain, 2:773 And tries the compass of his art in vain. 2:774 Soon as he saw the lovely nymph expire, 2:775 The pile made ready, and the kindling fire. 2:776 With sighs and groans her obsequies he kept, 2:777 And, if a God could weep, the God had wept. 2:778 Her corps he kiss'd, and heav'nly incense brought, 2:779 And solemniz'd the death himself had wrought. 2:780 But lest his offspring should her fate partake, 2:781 Spight of th' immortal mixture in his make, 2:782 He ript her womb, and set the child at large, 2:783 And gave him to the centaur Chiron's charge: 2:784 Then in his fury black'd the raven o'er, 2:785 And bid him prate in his white plumes no more. Ocyrrhoe transform'd into a Mare 2:786 Old Chiron took the babe with secret joy, 2:787 Proud of the charge of the celestial boy. 2:788 His daughter too, whom on the sandy shore 2:789 The nymph Charicle to the centaur bore, 2:790 With hair dishevel'd on her shoulders, came 2:791 To see the child, Ocyrrhoe was her name; 2:792 She knew her father's arts, and could rehearse 2:793 The depths of prophecy in sounding verse. 2:794 Once, as the sacred infant she survey'd, 2:795 The God was kindled in the raving maid, 2:796 And thus she utter'd her prophetick tale: 2:797 "Hail, great physician of the world, all-hail; 2:798 Hail, mighty infant, who in years to come 2:799 Shalt heal the nations, and defraud the tomb; 2:800 Swift be thy growth! thy triumphs unconfin'd! 2:801 Make kingdoms thicker, and increase mankind. 2:802 Thy daring art shall animate the dead, 2:803 And draw the thunder on thy guilty head: 2:804 Then shalt thou dye, but from the dark abode 2:805 Rise up victorious, and be twice a God. 2:806 And thou, my sire, not destin'd by thy birth 2:807 To turn to dust, and mix with common earth, 2:808 How wilt thou toss, and rave, and long to dye, 2:809 And quit thy claim to immortality; 2:810 When thou shalt feel, enrag'd with inward pains, 2:811 The Hydra's venom rankling in thy veins? 2:812 The Gods, in pity, shall contract thy date, 2:813 And give thee over to the pow'r of Fate." 2:814 Thus entring into destiny, the maid 2:815 The secrets of offended Jove betray'd: 2:816 More had she still to say; but now appears 2:817 Oppress'd with sobs and sighs, and drown'd in tears. 2:818 "My voice," says she, "is gone, my language fails; 2:819 Through ev'ry limb my kindred shape prevails: 2:820 Why did the God this fatal gift impart, 2:821 And with prophetick raptures swell my heart! 2:822 What new desires are these? I long to pace 2:823 O'er flow'ry meadows, and to feed on grass; 2:824 I hasten to a brute, a maid no more; 2:825 But why, alas! am I transform'd all o'er? 2:826 My sire does half a human shape retain, 2:827 And in his upper parts preserve the man." 2:828 Her tongue no more distinct complaints affords, 2:829 But in shrill accents and mis-shapen words 2:830 Pours forth such hideous wailings, as declare 2:831 The human form confounded in the mare: 2:832 'Till by degrees accomplish'd in the beast, 2:833 She neigh'd outright, and all the steed exprest. 2:834 Her stooping body on her hands is born, 2:835 Her hands are turn'd to hoofs, and shod in horn, 2:836 Her yellow tresses ruffle in a mane, 2:837 And in a flowing tail she frisks her train, 2:838 The mare was finish'd in her voice and look, 2:839 And a new name from the new figure took. The Transformation of Battus to a Touch stone 2:840 Sore wept the centuar, and to Phoebus pray'd; 2:841 But how could Phoebus give the centaur aid? 2:842 Degraded of his pow'r by angry Jove, 2:843 In Elis then a herd of beeves he drove; 2:844 And wielded in his hand a staff of oak, 2:845 And o'er his shoulders threw the shepherd's cloak; 2:846 On sev'n compacted reeds he us'd to play, 2:847 And on his rural pipe to waste the day. 2:848 As once attentive to his pipe he play'd, 2:849 The crafty Hermes from the God convey'd 2:850 A drove, that sep'rate from their fellows stray'd. 2:851 The theft an old insidious peasant view'd 2:852 (They call'd him Battus in the neighbourhood), 2:853 Hir'd by a vealthy Pylian prince to feed 2:854 His fav'rite mares, and watch the gen'rous breed. 2:855 The thievish God suspected him, and took 2:856 The hind aside, and thus in whispers spoke: 2:857 "Discover not the theft, whoe'er thou be, 2:858 And take that milk-white heifer for thy fee." 2:859 "Go, stranger," cries the clown, "securely on, 2:860 That stone shall sooner tell," and show'd a stone. 2:861 The God withdrew, but strait return'd again, 2:862 In speech and habit like a country swain; 2:863 And cries out, "Neighbour, hast thou seen a stray 2:864 Of bullocks and of heifers pass this way? 2:865 In the recov'ry of my cattle join, 2:866 A bullock and a heifer shall be thine." 2:867 The peasant quick replies, "You'll find 'em there 2:868 In yon dark vale"; and in the vale they were. 2:869 The double bribe had his false heart beguil'd: 2:870 The God, successful in the tryal, smil'd; 2:871 "And dost thou thus betray my self to me? 2:872 Me to my self dost thou betray?" says he: 2:873 Then to a Touch stone turns the faithless spy; 2:874 And in his name records his infamy. The Story of Aglauros, transform'd into a Statue 2:875 This done, the God flew up on high, and pass'd 2:876 O'er lofty Athens, by Minerva grac'd, 2:877 And wide Munichia, whilst his eyes survey 2:878 All the vast region that beneath him lay. 2:879 'Twas now the feast, when each Athenian maid 2:880 Her yearly homage to Minerva paid; 2:881 In canisters, with garlands cover'd o'er, 2:882 High on their heads, their mystick gifts they bore: 2:883 And now, returning in a solemn train, 2:884 The troop of shining virgins fill'd the plain. 2:885 The God well pleas'd beheld the pompous show, 2:886 And saw the bright procession pass below; 2:887 Then veer'd about, and took a wheeling flight, 2:888 And hover'd o'er them: as the spreading kite, 2:889 That smells the slaughter'd victim from on high, 2:890 Flies at a distance, if the priests are nigh, 2:891 And sails around, and keeps it in her eye: 2:892 So kept the God the virgin quire in view, 2:893 And in slow winding circles round them flew. 2:894 As Lucifer excells the meanest star, 2:895 Or, as the full-orb'd Phoebe, Lucifer; 2:896 So much did Herse all the rest outvy, 2:897 And gave a grace to the solemnity. 2:898 Hermes was fir'd, as in the clouds he hung: 2:899 So the cold bullet, that with fury slung 2:900 From Balearick engines mounts on high, 2:901 Glows in the whirl, and burns along the sky. 2:902 At length he pitch'd upon the ground, and show'd 2:903 The form divine, the features of a God. 2:904 He knew their vertue o'er a female heart, 2:905 And yet he strives to better them by art. 2:906 He hangs his mantle loose, and sets to show 2:907 The golden edging on the seam below; 2:908 Adjusts his flowing curls, and in his hand 2:909 Waves, with an air, the sleep-procuring wand; 2:910 The glitt'ring sandals to his feet applies, 2:911 And to each heel the well-trim'd pinion ties. 2:912 His ornaments with nicest art display'd, 2:913 He seeks th' apartment of the royal maid. 2:914 The roof was all with polish'd iv'ry lin'd, 2:915 That richly mix'd, in clouds of tortoise shin'd. 2:916 Three rooms, contiguous, in a range were plac'd, 2:917 The midmost by the beauteous Herse grac'd; 2:918 Her virgin sisters lodg'd on either side. 2:919 Aglauros first th' approaching God descry'd, 2:920 And, as he cross'd her chamber, ask'd his name, 2:921 And what his business was, and whence he came. 2:922 "I come," reply'd the God, "from Heav'n, to woo 2:923 Your sister, and to make an aunt of you; 2:924 I am the son and messenger of Jove; 2:925 My name is Mercury, my bus'ness love; 2:926 Do you, kind damsel, take a lover's part, 2:927 And gain admittance to your sister's heart." 2:928 She star'd him in the face with looks amaz'd, 2:929 As when she on Minerva's secret gaz'd, 2:930 And asks a mighty treasure for her hire; 2:931 And, 'till he brings it, makes the God retire. 2:932 Minerva griev'd to see the nymph succeed; 2:933 And now remembring the late impious deed, 2:934 When, disobedient to her strict command, 2:935 She touch'd the chest with an unhallow'd hand; 2:936 In big-swoln sighs her inward rage express'd, 2:937 That heav'd the rising Aegis on her breast; 2:938 Then sought out Envy in her dark abode, 2:939 Defil'd with ropy gore and clots of blood: 2:940 Shut from the winds, and from the wholesome skies, 2:941 In a deep vale the gloomy dungeon lies, 2:942 Dismal and cold, where not a beam of light 2:943 Invades the winter, or disturbs the night. 2:944 Directly to the cave her course she steer'd; 2:945 Against the gates her martial lance she rear'd; 2:946 The gates flew open, and the fiend appear'd. 2:947 A pois'nous morsel in her teeth she chew'd, 2:948 And gorg'd the flesh of vipers for her food. 2:949 Minerva loathing turn'd away her eye; 2:950 The hideous monster, rising heavily, 2:951 Came stalking forward with a sullen pace, 2:952 And left her mangled offals on the place. 2:953 Soon as she saw the goddess gay and bright, 2:954 She fetch'd a groan at such a chearful sight. 2:955 Livid and meagre were her looks, her eye 2:956 In foul distorted glances turn'd awry; 2:957 A hoard of gall her inward parts possess'd, 2:958 And spread a greenness o'er her canker'd breast; 2:959 Her teeth were brown with rust, and from her tongue, 2:960 In dangling drops, the stringy poison hung. 2:961 She never smiles but when the wretched weep, 2:962 Nor lulls her malice with a moment's sleep, 2:963 Restless in spite: while watchful to destroy, 2:964 She pines and sickens at another's joy; 2:965 Foe to her self, distressing and distrest, 2:966 She bears her own tormentor in her breast. 2:967 The Goddess gave (for she abhorr'd her sight) 2:968 A short command: "To Athens speed thy flight; 2:969 On curst Aglauros try thy utmost art, 2:970 And fix thy rankest venoms in her heart." 2:971 This said, her spear she push'd against the ground, 2:972 And mounting from it with an active bound, 2:973 Flew off to Heav'n: the hag with eyes askew 2:974 Look'd up, and mutter'd curses as she flew; 2:975 For sore she fretted, and began to grieve 2:976 At the success which she her self must give. 2:977 Then takes her staff, hung round with wreaths of thorn, 2:978 And sails along, in a black whirlwind born, 2:979 O'er fields and flow'ry meadows: where she steers 2:980 Her baneful course, a mighty blast appears, 2:981 Mildews and blights; the meadows are defac'd, 2:982 The fields, the flow'rs, and the whole years laid waste: 2:983 On mortals next, and peopled towns she falls, 2:984 And breathes a burning plague among their walls. 2:985 When Athens she beheld, for arts renown'd, 2:986 With peace made happy, and with plenty crown'd, 2:987 Scarce could the hideous fiend from tears forbear, 2:988 To find out nothing that deserv'd a tear. 2:989 Th' apartment now she enter'd, where at rest 2:990 Aglauros lay, with gentle sleep opprest. 2:991 To execute Minerva's dire command, 2:992 She stroak'd the virgin with her canker'd hand, 2:993 Then prickly thorns into her breast convey'd, 2:994 That stung to madness the devoted maid: 2:995 Her subtle venom still improves the smart, 2:996 Frets in the blood, and festers in the heart. 2:997 To make the work more sure, a scene she drew, 2:998 And plac'd before the dreaming virgin's view 2:999 Her sister's marriage, and her glorious fate: 2:1000 Th' imaginary bride appears in state; 2:1001 The bride-groom with unwonted beauty glows: 2:1002 For envy magnifies what-e'er she shows. 2:1003 Full of the dream, Aglauros pin'd away 2:1004 In tears all night, in darkness all the day; 2:1005 Consum'd like ice, that just begins to run, 2:1006 When feebly smitten by the distant sun; 2:1007 Or like unwholsome weeds, that set on fire 2:1008 Are slowly wasted, and in smoke expire. 2:1009 Giv'n up to envy (for in ev'ry thought 2:1010 The thorns, the venom, and the vision wrought) 2:1011 Oft did she call on death, as oft decreed, 2:1012 Rather than see her sister's wish succeed, 2:1013 To tell her awfull father what had past: 2:1014 At length before the door her self she cast; 2:1015 And, sitting on the ground with sullen pride, 2:1016 A passage to the love-sick God deny'd. 2:1017 The God caress'd, and for admission pray'd, 2:1018 And sooth'd in softest words th' envenom'd maid. 2:1019 In vain he sooth'd: "Begone!" the maid replies, 2:1020 "Or here I keep my seat, and never rise." 2:1021 "Then keep thy seat for ever," cries the God, 2:1022 And touch'd the door, wide op'ning to his rod. 2:1023 Fain would she rise, and stop him, but she found 2:1024 Her trunk too heavy to forsake the ground; 2:1025 Her joynts are all benum'd, her hands are pale, 2:1026 And marble now appears in ev'ry nail. 2:1027 As when a cancer in the body feeds, 2:1028 And gradual death from limb to limb proceeds; 2:1029 So does the chilness to each vital parte 2:1030 Spread by degrees, and creeps into her heart; 2:1031 'Till hard'ning ev'ry where, and speechless grown, 2:1032 She sits unmov'd, and freezes to a stone. 2:1033 But still her envious hue and sullen mien 2:1034 Are in the sedentary figure seen. Europa's Rape 2:1035 When now the God his fury had allay'd, 2:1036 And taken vengeance of the stubborn maid, 2:1037 From where the bright Athenian turrets rise 2:1038 He mounts aloft, and re-ascends the skies. 2:1039 Jove saw him enter the sublime abodes, 2:1040 And, as he mix'd among the crowd of Gods, 2:1041 Beckon'd him out, and drew him from the rest, 2:1042 And in soft whispers thus his will exprest. 2:1043 "My trusty Hermes, by whose ready aid 2:1044 Thy sire's commands are through the world convey'd. 2:1045 Resume thy wings, exert their utmost force, 2:1046 And to the walls of Sidon speed thy course; 2:1047 There find a herd of heifers wand'ring o'er 2:1048 The neighb'ring hill, and drive 'em to the shore." 2:1049 Thus spoke the God, concealing his intent. 2:1050 The trusty Hermes, on his message went, 2:1051 And found the herd of heifers wand'ring o'er 2:1052 A neighb'ring hill, and drove 'em to the shore; 2:1053 Where the king's daughter, with a lovely train 2:1054 Of fellow-nymphs, was sporting on the plain. 2:1055 The dignity of empire laid aside, 2:1056 (For love but ill agrees with kingly pride) 2:1057 The ruler of the skies, the thund'ring God, 2:1058 Who shakes the world's foundations with a nod, 2:1059 Among a herd of lowing heifers ran, 2:1060 Frisk'd in a bull, and bellow'd o'er the plain. 2:1061 Large rowles of fat about his shoulders clung, 2:1062 And from his neck the double dewlap hung. 2:1063 His skin was whiter than the snow that lies 2:1064 Unsully'd by the breath of southern skies; 2:1065 Small shining horns on his curl'd forehead stand, 2:1066 As turn'd and polish'd by the work-man's hand; 2:1067 His eye-balls rowl'd, not formidably bright, 2:1068 But gaz'd and languish'd with a gentle light. 2:1069 His ev'ry look was peaceful, and exprest 2:1070 The softness of the lover in the beast. 2:1071 Agenor's royal daughter, as she plaid 2:1072 Among the fields, the milk-white bull survey'd, 2:1073 And view'd his spotless body with delight, 2:1074 And at a distance kept him in her sight. 2:1075 At length she pluck'd the rising flow'rs, and fed 2:1076 The gentle beast, and fondly stroak'd his head. 2:1077 He stood well-pleas'd to touch the charming fair, 2:1078 But hardly could confine his pleasure there. 2:1079 And now he wantons o'er the neighb'ring strand, 2:1080 Now rowls his body on the yellow sand; 2:1081 And, now perceiving all her fears decay'd, 2:1082 Comes tossing forward to the royal maid; 2:1083 Gives her his breast to stroke, and downward turns 2:1084 His grizly brow, and gently stoops his horns. 2:1085 In flow'ry wreaths the royal virgin drest 2:1086 His bending horns, and kindly clapt his breast. 2:1087 'Till now grown wanton and devoid of fear, 2:1088 Not knowing that she prest the Thunderer, 2:1089 She plac'd her self upon his back, and rode 2:1090 O'er fields and meadows, seated on the God. 2:1091 He gently march'd along, and by degrees 2:1092 Left the dry meadow, and approach'd the seas; 2:1093 Where now he dips his hoofs and wets his thighs, 2:1094 Now plunges in, and carries off the prize. 2:1095 The frighted nymph looks backward on the shoar, 2:1096 And hears the tumbling billows round her roar; 2:1097 But still she holds him fast: one hand is born 2:1098 Upon his back; the other grasps a horn: 2:1099 Her train of ruffling garments flies behind, 2:1100 Swells in the air, and hovers in the wind. 2:1101 Through storms and tempests he the virgin bore, 2:1102 And lands her safe on the Dictean shore; 2:1103 Where now, in his divinest form array'd, 2:1104 In his true shape he captivates the maid; 2:1105 Who gazes on him, and with wond'ring eyes 2:1106 Beholds the new majestick figure rise, 2:1107 His glowing features, and celestial light, 2:1108 And all the God discover'd to her sight. BOOK THE THIRD The Story of of Cadmus 3:1 Through storms and tempests he the virgin bore, 3:2 And lands her safe on the Dictean shore; 3:3 Where now, in his divinest form array'd, 3:4 In his true shape he captivates the maid; 3:5 Who gazes on him, and with wond'ring eyes 3:6 Beholds the new majestick figure rise, 3:7 His glowing features, and celestial light, 3:8 And all the God discover'd to her sight. 3:9 When now Agenor had his daughter lost, 3:10 He sent his son to search on ev'ry coast; 3:11 And sternly bid him to his arms restore 3:12 The darling maid, or see his face no more, 3:13 But live an exile in a foreign clime; 3:14 Thus was the father pious to a crime. 3:15 The restless youth search'd all the world around; 3:16 But how can Jove in his amours be found? 3:17 When, tir'd at length with unsuccessful toil, 3:18 To shun his angry sire and native soil, 3:19 He goes a suppliant to the Delphick dome; 3:20 There asks the God what new appointed home 3:21 Should end his wand'rings, and his toils relieve. 3:22 The Delphick oracles this answer give. 3:23 "Behold among the fields a lonely cow, 3:24 Unworn with yokes, unbroken to the plow; 3:25 Mark well the place where first she lays her down, 3:26 There measure out thy walls, and build thy town, 3:27 And from thy guide Boeotia call the land, 3:28 In which the destin'd walls and town shall stand." 3:29 No sooner had he left the dark abode, 3:30 Big with the promise of the Delphick God, 3:31 When in the fields the fatal cow he view'd, 3:32 Nor gall'd with yokes, nor worn with servitude: 3:33 Her gently at a distance he pursu'd; 3:34 And as he walk'd aloof, in silence pray'd 3:35 To the great Pow'r whose counsels he obey'd. 3:36 Her way thro' flow'ry Panope she took, 3:37 And now, Cephisus, cross'd thy silver brook; 3:38 When to the Heav'ns her spacious front she rais'd, 3:39 And bellow'd thrice, then backward turning gaz'd 3:40 On those behind, 'till on the destin'd place 3:41 She stoop'd, and couch'd amid the rising grass. 3:42 Cadmus salutes the soil, and gladly hails 3:43 The new-found mountains, and the nameless vales, 3:44 And thanks the Gods, and turns about his eye 3:45 To see his new dominions round him lye; 3:46 Then sends his servants to a neighb'ring grove 3:47 For living streams, a sacrifice to Jove. 3:48 O'er the wide plain there rose a shady wood 3:49 Of aged trees; in its dark bosom stood 3:50 A bushy thicket, pathless and unworn, 3:51 O'er-run with brambles, and perplex'd with thorn: 3:52 Amidst the brake a hollow den was found, 3:53 With rocks and shelving arches vaulted round. 3:54 Deep in the dreary den, conceal'd from day, 3:55 Sacred to Mars, a mighty dragon lay, 3:56 Bloated with poison to a monstrous size; 3:57 Fire broke in flashes when he glanc'd his eyes: 3:58 His tow'ring crest was glorious to behold, 3:59 His shoulders and his sides were scal'd with gold; 3:60 Three tongues he brandish'd when he charg'd his foes; 3:61 His teeth stood jaggy in three dreadful rowes. 3:62 The Tyrians in the den for water sought, 3:63 And with their urns explor'd the hollow vault: 3:64 From side to side their empty urns rebound, 3:65 And rowse the sleeping serpent with the sound. 3:66 Strait he bestirs him, and is seen to rise; 3:67 And now with dreadful hissings fills the skies, 3:68 And darts his forky tongues, and rowles his glaring eyes. 3:69 The Tyrians drop their vessels in the fright, 3:70 All pale and trembling at the hideous sight. 3:71 Spire above spire uprear'd in air he stood, 3:72 And gazing round him over-look'd the wood: 3:73 Then floating on the ground in circles rowl'd; 3:74 Then leap'd upon them in a mighty fold. 3:75 Of such a bulk, and such a monstrous size 3:76 The serpent in the polar circle lyes, 3:77 That stretches over half the northern skies. 3:78 In vain the Tyrians on their arms rely, 3:79 In vain attempt to fight, in vain to fly: 3:80 All their endeavours and their hopes are vain; 3:81 Some die entangled in the winding train; 3:82 Some are devour'd, or feel a loathsom death, 3:83 Swoln up with blasts of pestilential breath. 3:84 And now the scorching sun was mounted high, 3:85 In all its lustre, to the noon-day sky; 3:86 When, anxious for his friends, and fill'd with cares, 3:87 To search the woods th' impatient chief prepares. 3:88 A lion's hide around his loins he wore, 3:89 The well poiz'd javelin to the field he bore, 3:90 Inur'd to blood; the far-destroying dart; 3:91 And, the best weapon, an undaunted heart. 3:92 Soon as the youth approach'd the fatal place, 3:93 He saw his servants breathless on the grass; 3:94 The scaly foe amid their corps he view'd, 3:95 Basking at ease, and feasting in their blood. 3:96 "Such friends," he cries, "deserv'd a longer date; 3:97 But Cadmus will revenge or share their fate." 3:98 Then heav'd a stone, and rising to the throw, 3:99 He sent it in a whirlwind at the foe: 3:100 A tow'r, assaulted by so rude a stroke, 3:101 With all its lofty battlements had shook; 3:102 But nothing here th' unwieldy rock avails, 3:103 Rebounding harmless from the plaited scales, 3:104 That, firmly join'd, preserv'd him from a wound, 3:105 With native armour crusted all around. 3:106 With more success, the dart unerring flew, 3:107 Which at his back the raging warriour threw; 3:108 Amid the plaited scales it took its course, 3:109 And in the spinal marrow spent its force. 3:110 The monster hiss'd aloud, and rag'd in vain, 3:111 And writh'd his body to and fro with pain; 3:112 He bit the dart, and wrench'd the wood away; 3:113 The point still buried in the marrow lay. 3:114 And now his rage, increasing with his pain, 3:115 Reddens his eyes, and beats in ev'ry vein; 3:116 Churn'd in his teeth the foamy venom rose, 3:117 Whilst from his mouth a blast of vapours flows, 3:118 Such as th' infernal Stygian waters cast. 3:119 The plants around him wither in the blast. 3:120 Now in a maze of rings he lies enrowl'd, 3:121 Now all unravel'd, and without a fold; 3:122 Now, like a torrent, with a mighty force 3:123 Bears down the forest in his boist'rous course. 3:124 Cadmus gave back, and on the lion's spoil 3:125 Sustain'd the shock, then forc'd him to recoil; 3:126 The pointed jav'lin warded off his rage: 3:127 Mad with his pains, and furious to engage, 3:128 The serpent champs the steel, and bites the spear, 3:129 'Till blood and venom all the point besmear. 3:130 But still the hurt he yet receiv'd was slight; 3:131 For, whilst the champion with redoubled might 3:132 Strikes home the jav'lin, his retiring foe 3:133 Shrinks from the wound, and disappoints the blow. 3:134 The dauntless heroe still pursues his stroke, 3:135 And presses forward, 'till a knotty oak 3:136 Retards his foe, and stops him in the rear; 3:137 Full in his throat he plung'd the fatal spear, 3:138 That in th' extended neck a passage found, 3:139 And pierc'd the solid timber through the wound. 3:140 Fix'd to the reeling trunk, with many a stroke 3:141 Of his huge tail he lash'd the sturdy oak; 3:142 'Till spent with toil, and lab'ring hard for breath, 3:143 He now lay twisting in the pangs of death. 3:144 Cadmus beheld him wallow in a flood 3:145 Of swimming poison, intermix'd with blood; 3:146 When suddenly a speech was heard from high 3:147 (The speech was heard, nor was the speaker nigh), 3:148 "Why dost thou thus with secret pleasure see, 3:149 Insulting man! what thou thy self shalt be?" 3:150 Astonish'd at the voice, he stood amaz'd, 3:151 And all around with inward horror gaz'd: 3:152 When Pallas swift descending from the skies, 3:153 Pallas, the guardian of the bold and wise, 3:154 Bids him plow up the field, and scatter round 3:155 The dragon's teeth o'er all the furrow'd ground; 3:156 Then tells the youth how to his wond'ring eyes 3:157 Embattled armies from the field should rise. 3:158 He sows the teeth at Pallas's command, 3:159 And flings the future people from his hand. 3:160 The clods grow warm, and crumble where he sows; 3:161 And now the pointed spears advance in rows; 3:162 Now nodding plumes appear, and shining crests, 3:163 Now the broad shoulders and the rising breasts; 3:164 O'er all the field the breathing harvest swarms, 3:165 A growing host, a crop of men and arms. 3:166 So through the parting stage a figure rears 3:167 Its body up, and limb by limb appears 3:168 By just degrees; 'till all the man arise, 3:169 And in his full proportion strikes the eyes. 3:170 Cadmus surpriz'd, and startled at the sight 3:171 Of his new foes, prepar'd himself for fight: 3:172 When one cry'd out, "Forbear, fond man, forbear 3:173 To mingle in a blind promiscuous war." 3:174 This said, he struck his brother to the ground, 3:175 Himself expiring by another's wound; 3:176 Nor did the third his conquest long survive, 3:177 Dying ere scarce he had begun to live. 3:178 The dire example ran through all the field, 3:179 'Till heaps of brothers were by brothers kill'd; 3:180 The furrows swam in blood: and only five 3:181 Of all the vast increase were left alive. 3:182 Echion one, at Pallas's command, 3:183 Let fall the guiltless weapon from his hand, 3:184 And with the rest a peaceful treaty makes, 3:185 Whom Cadmus as his friends and partners takes; 3:186 So founds a city on the promis'd earth, 3:187 And gives his new Boeotian empire birth. 3:188 Here Cadmus reign'd; and now one would have guess'd 3:189 The royal founder in his exile blest: 3:190 Long did he live within his new abodes, 3:191 Ally'd by marriage to the deathless Gods; 3:192 And, in a fruitful wife's embraces old, 3:193 A long increase of children's children told: 3:194 But no frail man, however great or high, 3:195 Can be concluded blest before he die. 3:196 Actaeon was the first of all his race, 3:197 Who griev'd his grandsire in his borrow'd face; 3:198 Condemn'd by stern Diana to bemoan 3:199 The branching horns, and visage not his own; 3:200 To shun his once lov'd dogs, to bound away, 3:201 And from their huntsman to become their prey, 3:202 And yet consider why the change was wrought, 3:203 You'll find it his misfortune, not his fault; 3:204 Or, if a fault, it was the fault of chance: 3:205 For how can guilt proceed from ignorance? The Transformation of Actaeon into a Stag 3:206 In a fair chace a shady mountain stood, 3:207 Well stor'd with game, and mark'd with trails of blood; 3:208 Here did the huntsmen, 'till the heat of day, 3:209 Pursue the stag, and load themselves with rey: 3:210 When thus Actaeon calling to the rest: 3:211 "My friends," said he, "our sport is at the best, 3:212 The sun is high advanc'd, and downward sheds 3:213 His burning beams directly on our heads; 3:214 Then by consent abstain from further spoils, 3:215 Call off the dogs, and gather up the toils, 3:216 And ere to-morrow's sun begins his race, 3:217 Take the cool morning to renew the chace." 3:218 They all consent, and in a chearful train 3:219 The jolly huntsmen, loaden with the slain, 3:220 Return in triumph from the sultry plain. 3:221 Down in a vale with pine and cypress clad, 3:222 Refresh'd with gentle winds, and brown with shade, 3:223 The chaste Diana's private haunt, there stood 3:224 Full in the centre of the darksome wood 3:225 A spacious grotto, all around o'er-grown 3:226 With hoary moss, and arch'd with pumice-stone. 3:227 From out its rocky clefts the waters flow, 3:228 And trickling swell into a lake below. 3:229 Nature had ev'ry where so plaid her part, 3:230 That ev'ry where she seem'd to vie with art. 3:231 Here the bright Goddess, toil'd and chaf'd with heat, 3:232 Was wont to bathe her in the cool retreat. 3:233 Here did she now with all her train resort, 3:234 Panting with heat, and breathless from the sport; 3:235 Her armour-bearer laid her bow aside, 3:236 Some loos'd her sandals, some her veil unty'd; 3:237 Each busy nymph her proper part undrest; 3:238 While Crocale, more handy than the rest, 3:239 Gather'd her flowing hair, and in a noose 3:240 Bound it together, whilst her own hung loose. 3:241 Five of the more ignoble sort by turns 3:242 Fetch up the water, and unlade the urns. 3:243 Now all undrest the shining Goddess stood, 3:244 When young Actaeon, wilder'd in the wood, 3:245 To the cool grott by his hard fate betray'd, 3:246 The fountains fill'd with naked nymphs survey'd. 3:247 The frighted virgins shriek'd at the surprize 3:248 (The forest echo'd with their piercing cries). 3:249 Then in a huddle round their Goddess prest: 3:250 She, proudly eminent above the rest, 3:251 With blushes glow'd; such blushes as adorn 3:252 The ruddy welkin, or the purple morn; 3:253 And tho' the crowding nymphs her body hide, 3:254 Half backward shrunk, and view'd him from a side. 3:255 Surpriz'd, at first she would have snatch'd her bow, 3:256 But sees the circling waters round her flow; 3:257 These in the hollow of her hand she took, 3:258 And dash'd 'em in his face, while thus she spoke: 3:259 "Tell, if thou can'st, the wond'rous sight disclos'd, 3:260 A Goddess naked to thy view expos'd." 3:261 This said, the man begun to disappear 3:262 By slow degrees, and ended in a deer. 3:263 A rising horn on either brow he wears, 3:264 And stretches out his neck, and pricks his ears; 3:265 Rough is his skin, with sudden hairs o'er-grown, 3:266 His bosom pants with fears before unknown: 3:267 Transform'd at length, he flies away in haste, 3:268 And wonders why he flies away so fast. 3:269 But as by chance, within a neighb'ring brook, 3:270 He saw his branching horns and alter'd look. 3:271 Wretched Actaeon! in a doleful tone 3:272 He try'd to speak, but only gave a groan; 3:273 And as he wept, within the watry glass 3:274 He saw the big round drops, with silent pace, 3:275 Run trickling down a savage hairy face. 3:276 What should he do? Or seek his old abodes, 3:277 Or herd among the deer, and sculk in woods! 3:278 Here shame dissuades him, there his fear prevails, 3:279 And each by turns his aking heart assails. 3:280 As he thus ponders, he behind him spies 3:281 His op'ning hounds, and now he hears their cries: 3:282 A gen'rous pack, or to maintain the chace, 3:283 Or snuff the vapour from the scented grass. 3:284 He bounded off with fear, and swiftly ran 3:285 O'er craggy mountains, and the flow'ry plain; 3:286 Through brakes and thickets forc'd his way, and flew 3:287 Through many a ring, where once he did pursue. 3:288 In vain he oft endeavour'd to proclaim 3:289 His new misfortune, and to tell his name; 3:290 Nor voice nor words the brutal tongue supplies; 3:291 From shouting men, and horns, and dogs he flies, 3:292 Deafen'd and stunn'd with their promiscuous cries. 3:293 When now the fleetest of the pack, that prest 3:294 Close at his heels, and sprung before the rest, 3:295 Had fasten'd on him, straight another pair, 3:296 Hung on his wounded haunch, and held him there, 3:297 'Till all the pack came up, and ev'ry hound 3:298 Tore the sad huntsman grov'ling on the ground, 3:299 Who now appear'd but one continu'd wound. 3:300 With dropping tears his bitter fate he moans, 3:301 And fills the mountain with his dying groans. 3:302 His servants with a piteous look he spies, 3:303 And turns about his supplicating eyes. 3:304 His servants, ignorant of what had chanc'd, 3:305 With eager haste and joyful shouts advanc'd, 3:306 And call'd their lord Actaeon to the game. 3:307 He shook his head in answer to the name; 3:308 He heard, but wish'd he had indeed been gone, 3:309 Or only to have stood a looker-on. 3:310 But to his grief he finds himself too near, 3:311 And feels his rav'nous dogs with fury tear 3:312 Their wretched master panting in a deer. The Birth of Bacchus 3:313 Actaeon's suff'rings, and Diana's rage, 3:314 Did all the thoughts of men and Gods engage; 3:315 Some call'd the evils which Diana wrought, 3:316 Too great, and disproportion'd to the fault: 3:317 Others again, esteem'd Actaeon's woes 3:318 Fit for a virgin Goddess to impose. 3:319 The hearers into diff'rent parts divide, 3:320 And reasons are produc'd on either side. 3:321 Juno alone, of all that heard the news, 3:322 Nor would condemn the Goddess, nor excuse: 3:323 She heeded not the justice of the deed, 3:324 But joy'd to see the race of Cadmus bleed; 3:325 For still she kept Europa in her mind, 3:326 And, for her sake, detested all her kind. 3:327 Besides, to aggravate her hate, she heard 3:328 How Semele, to Jove's embrace preferr'd, 3:329 Was now grown big with an immortal load, 3:330 And carry'd in her womb a future God. 3:331 Thus terribly incens'd, the Goddess broke 3:332 To sudden fury, and abruptly spoke. 3:333 "Are my reproaches of so small a force? 3:334 'Tis time I then pursue another course: 3:335 It is decreed the guilty wretch shall die, 3:336 If I'm indeed the mistress of the sky, 3:337 If rightly styl'd among the Pow'rs above 3:338 The wife and sister of the thund'ring Jove 3:339 (And none can sure a sister's right deny); 3:340 It is decreed the guilty wretch shall die. 3:341 She boasts an honour I can hardly claim, 3:342 Pregnant she rises to a mother's name; 3:343 While proud and vain she triumphs in her Jove, 3:344 And shows the glorious tokens of his love: 3:345 But if I'm still the mistress of the skies, 3:346 By her own lover the fond beauty dies." 3:347 This said, descending in a yellow cloud, 3:348 Before the gates of Semele she stood. 3:349 Old Beroe's decrepit shape she wears, 3:350 Her wrinkled visage, and her hoary hairs; 3:351 Whilst in her trembling gait she totters on, 3:352 And learns to tattle in the nurse's tone. 3:353 The Goddess, thus disguis'd in age, beguil'd 3:354 With pleasing stories her false foster-child. 3:355 Much did she talk of love, and when she came 3:356 To mention to the nymph her lover's name, 3:357 Fetching a sigh, and holding down her head, 3:358 "'Tis well," says she, "if all be true that's said. 3:359 But trust me, child, I'm much inclin'd to fear 3:360 Some counterfeit in this your Jupiter: 3:361 Many an honest well-designing maid 3:362 Has been by these pretended Gods betray'd, 3:363 But if he be indeed the thund'ring Jove, 3:364 Bid him, when next he courts the rites of love, 3:365 Descend triumphant from th' etherial sky, 3:366 In all the pomp of his divinity, 3:367 Encompass'd round by those celestial charms, 3:368 With which he fills th' immortal Juno's arms." 3:369 Th' unwary nymph, ensnar'd with what she said, 3:370 Desir'd of Jove, when next he sought her bed, 3:371 To grant a certain gift which she would chuse; 3:372 "Fear not," reply'd the God, "that I'll refuse 3:373 Whate'er you ask: may Styx confirm my voice, 3:374 Chuse what you will, and you shall have your choice." 3:375 "Then," says the nymph, "when next you seek my arms, 3:376 May you descend in those celestial charms, 3:377 With which your Juno's bosom you enflame, 3:378 And fill with transport Heav'n's immortal dame." 3:379 The God surpriz'd would fain have stopp'd her voice, 3:380 But he had sworn, and she had made her choice. 3:381 To keep his promise he ascends, and shrowds 3:382 His awful brow in whirl-winds and in clouds; 3:383 Whilst all around, in terrible array, 3:384 His thunders rattle, and his light'nings play. 3:385 And yet, the dazling lustre to abate, 3:386 He set not out in all his pomp and state, 3:387 Clad in the mildest light'ning of the skies, 3:388 And arm'd with thunder of the smallest size: 3:389 Not those huge bolts, by which the giants slain 3:390 Lay overthrown on the Phlegrean plain. 3:391 'Twas of a lesser mould, and lighter weight; 3:392 They call it thunder of a second-rate, 3:393 For the rough Cyclops, who by Jove's command 3:394 Temper'd the bolt, and turn'd it to his hand, 3:395 Work'd up less flame and fury in its make, 3:396 And quench'd it sooner in the standing lake. 3:397 Thus dreadfully adorn'd, with horror bright, 3:398 Th' illustrious God, descending from his height, 3:399 Came rushing on her in a storm of light. 3:400 The mortal dame, too feeble to engage 3:401 The lightning's flashes, and the thunder's rage, 3:402 Consum'd amidst the glories she desir'd, 3:403 And in the terrible embrace expir'd. 3:404 But, to preserve his offspring from the tomb, 3:405 Jove took him smoaking from the blasted womb: 3:406 And, if on ancient tales we may rely, 3:407 Inclos'd th' abortive infant in his thigh. 3:408 Here when the babe had all his time fulfill'd, 3:409 Ino first took him for her foster-child; 3:410 Then the Niseans, in their dark abode, 3:411 Nurs'd secretly with milk the thriving God. The Transformation of Tiresias 3:412 'Twas now, while these transactions past on Earth, 3:413 And Bacchus thus procur'd a second birth, 3:414 When Jove, dispos'd to lay aside the weight 3:415 Of publick empire and the cares of state, 3:416 As to his queen in nectar bowls he quaff'd, 3:417 "In troth," says he, and as he spoke he laugh'd, 3:418 "The sense of pleasure in the male is far 3:419 More dull and dead, than what you females share." 3:420 Juno the truth of what was said deny'd; 3:421 Tiresias therefore must the cause decide, 3:422 For he the pleasure of each sex had try'd. 3:423 It happen'd once, within a shady wood, 3:424 Two twisted snakes he in conjunction view'd, 3:425 When with his staff their slimy folds he broke, 3:426 And lost his manhood at the fatal stroke. 3:427 But, after seven revolving years, he view'd 3:428 The self-same serpents in the self-same wood: 3:429 "And if," says he, "such virtue in you lye, 3:430 That he who dares your slimy folds untie 3:431 Must change his kind, a second stroke I'll try." 3:432 Again he struck the snakes, and stood again 3:433 New-sex'd, and strait recover'd into man. 3:434 Him therefore both the deities create 3:435 The sov'raign umpire, in their grand debate; 3:436 And he declar'd for Jove: when Juno fir'd, 3:437 More than so trivial an affair requir'd, 3:438 Depriv'd him, in her fury, of his sight, 3:439 And left him groping round in sudden night. 3:440 But Jove (for so it is in Heav'n decreed, 3:441 That no one God repeal another's deed) 3:442 Irradiates all his soul with inward light, 3:443 And with the prophet's art relieves the want of sight. The Transformation of Echo 3:444 Fam'd far and near for knowing things to come, 3:445 From him th' enquiring nations sought their doom; 3:446 The fair Liriope his answers try'd, 3:447 And first th' unerring prophet justify'd. 3:448 This nymph the God Cephisus had abus'd, 3:449 With all his winding waters circumfus'd, 3:450 And on the Nereid got a lovely boy, 3:451 Whom the soft maids ev'n then beheld with joy. 3:452 The tender dame, sollicitous to know 3:453 Whether her child should reach old age or no, 3:454 Consults the sage Tiresias, who replies, 3:455 "If e'er he knows himself he surely dies." 3:456 Long liv'd the dubious mother in suspence, 3:457 'Till time unriddled all the prophet's sense. 3:458 Narcissus now his sixteenth year began, 3:459 Just turn'd of boy, and on the verge of man; 3:460 Many a friend the blooming youth caress'd, 3:461 Many a love-sick maid her flame confess'd: 3:462 Such was his pride, in vain the friend caress'd, 3:463 The love-sick maid in vain her flame confess'd. 3:464 Once, in the woods, as he pursu'd the chace, 3:465 The babbling Echo had descry'd his face; 3:466 She, who in others' words her silence breaks, 3:467 Nor speaks her self but when another speaks. 3:468 Echo was then a maid, of speech bereft, 3:469 Of wonted speech; for tho' her voice was left, 3:470 Juno a curse did on her tongue impose, 3:471 To sport with ev'ry sentence in the close. 3:472 Full often when the Goddess might have caught 3:473 Jove and her rivals in the very fault, 3:474 This nymph with subtle stories would delay 3:475 Her coming, 'till the lovers slip'd away. 3:476 The Goddess found out the deceit in time, 3:477 And then she cry'd, "That tongue, for this thy crime, 3:478 Which could so many subtle tales produce, 3:479 Shall be hereafter but of little use." 3:480 Hence 'tis she prattles in a fainter tone, 3:481 With mimick sounds, and accents not her own. 3:482 This love-sick virgin, over-joy'd to find 3:483 The boy alone, still follow'd him behind: 3:484 When glowing warmly at her near approach, 3:485 As sulphur blazes at the taper's touch, 3:486 She long'd her hidden passion to reveal, 3:487 And tell her pains, but had not words to tell: 3:488 She can't begin, but waits for the rebound, 3:489 To catch his voice, and to return the sound. 3:490 The nymph, when nothing could Narcissus move, 3:491 Still dash'd with blushes for her slighted love, 3:492 Liv'd in the shady covert of the woods, 3:493 In solitary caves and dark abodes; 3:494 Where pining wander'd the rejected fair, 3:495 'Till harrass'd out, and worn away with care, 3:496 The sounding skeleton, of blood bereft, 3:497 Besides her bones and voice had nothing left. 3:498 Her bones are petrify'd, her voice is found 3:499 In vaults, where still it doubles ev'ry sound. The Story of Narcissus 3:500 Thus did the nymphs in vain caress the boy, 3:501 He still was lovely, but he still was coy; 3:502 When one fair virgin of the slighted train 3:503 Thus pray'd the Gods, provok'd by his disdain, 3:504 "Oh may he love like me, and love like me in vain!" 3:505 Rhamnusia pity'd the neglected fair, 3:506 And with just vengeance answer'd to her pray'r. 3:507 There stands a fountain in a darksom wood, 3:508 Nor stain'd with falling leaves nor rising mud; 3:509 Untroubled by the breath of winds it rests, 3:510 Unsully'd by the touch of men or beasts; 3:511 High bow'rs of shady trees above it grow, 3:512 And rising grass and chearful greens below. 3:513 Pleas'd with the form and coolness of the place, 3:514 And over-heated by the morning chace, 3:515 Narcissus on the grassie verdure lyes: 3:516 But whilst within the chrystal fount he tries 3:517 To quench his heat, he feels new heats arise. 3:518 For as his own bright image he survey'd, 3:519 He fell in love with the fantastick shade; 3:520 And o'er the fair resemblance hung unmov'd, 3:521 Nor knew, fond youth! it was himself he lov'd. 3:522 The well-turn'd neck and shoulders he descries, 3:523 The spacious forehead, and the sparkling eyes; 3:524 The hands that Bacchus might not scorn to show, 3:525 And hair that round Apollo's head might flow; 3:526 With all the purple youthfulness of face, 3:527 That gently blushes in the wat'ry glass. 3:528 By his own flames consum'd the lover lyes, 3:529 And gives himself the wound by which he dies. 3:530 To the cold water oft he joins his lips, 3:531 Oft catching at the beauteous shade he dips 3:532 His arms, as often from himself he slips. 3:533 Nor knows he who it is his arms pursue 3:534 With eager clasps, but loves he knows not who. 3:535 What could, fond youth, this helpless passion move? 3:536 What kindled in thee this unpity'd love? 3:537 Thy own warm blush within the water glows, 3:538 With thee the colour'd shadow comes and goes, 3:539 Its empty being on thy self relies; 3:540 Step thou aside, and the frail charmer dies. 3:541 Still o'er the fountain's wat'ry gleam he stood, 3:542 Mindless of sleep, and negligent of food; 3:543 Still view'd his face, and languish'd as he view'd. 3:544 At length he rais'd his head, and thus began 3:545 To vent his griefs, and tell the woods his pain. 3:546 "You trees," says he, "and thou surrounding grove, 3:547 Who oft have been the kindly scenes of love, 3:548 Tell me, if e'er within your shades did lye 3:549 A youth so tortur'd, so perplex'd as I? 3:550 I, who before me see the charming fair, 3:551 Whilst there he stands, and yet he stands not there: 3:552 In such a maze of love my thoughts are lost: 3:553 And yet no bulwark'd town, nor distant coast, 3:554 Preserves the beauteous youth from being seen, 3:555 No mountains rise, nor oceans flow between. 3:556 A shallow water hinders my embrace; 3:557 And yet the lovely mimick wears a face 3:558 That kindly smiles, and when I bend to join 3:559 My lips to his, he fondly bends to mine. 3:560 Hear, gentle youth, and pity my complaint, 3:561 Come from thy well, thou fair inhabitant. 3:562 My charms an easy conquest have obtain'd 3:563 O'er other hearts, by thee alone disdain'd. 3:564 But why should I despair? I'm sure he burns 3:565 With equal flames, and languishes by turns. 3:566 When-e'er I stoop, he offers at a kiss, 3:567 And when my arms I stretch, he stretches his. 3:568 His eye with pleasure on my face he keeps, 3:569 He smiles my smiles, and when I weep he weeps. 3:570 When e'er I speak, his moving lips appear 3:571 To utter something, which I cannot hear. 3:572 "Ah wretched me! I now begin too late 3:573 To find out all the long-perplex'd deceit; 3:574 It is my self I love, my self I see; 3:575 The gay delusion is a part of me. 3:576 I kindle up the fires by which I burn, 3:577 And my own beauties from the well return. 3:578 Whom should I court? how utter my complaint? 3:579 Enjoyment but produces my restraint, 3:580 And too much plenty makes me die for want. 3:581 How gladly would I from my self remove! 3:582 And at a distance set the thing I love. 3:583 My breast is warm'd with such unusual fire, 3:584 I wish him absent whom I most desire. 3:585 And now I faint with grief; my fate draws nigh; 3:586 In all the pride of blooming youth I die. 3:587 Death will the sorrows of my heart relieve. 3:588 Oh might the visionary youth survive, 3:589 I should with joy my latest breath resign! 3:590 But oh! I see his fate involv'd in mine." 3:591 This said, the weeping youth again return'd 3:592 To the clear fountain, where again he burn'd; 3:593 His tears defac'd the surface of the well, 3:594 With circle after circle, as they fell: 3:595 And now the lovely face but half appears, 3:596 O'er-run with wrinkles, and deform'd with tears. 3:597 "Ah whither," cries Narcissus, "dost thou fly? 3:598 Let me still feed the flame by which I die; 3:599 Let me still see, tho' I'm no further blest." 3:600 Then rends his garment off, and beats his breast: 3:601 His naked bosom redden'd with the blow, 3:602 In such a blush as purple clusters show, 3:603 Ere yet the sun's autumnal heats refine 3:604 Their sprightly juice, and mellow it to wine. 3:605 The glowing beauties of his breast he spies, 3:606 And with a new redoubled passion dies. 3:607 As wax dissolves, as ice begins to run, 3:608 And trickle into drops before the sun; 3:609 So melts the youth, and languishes away, 3:610 His beauty withers, and his limbs decay; 3:611 And none of those attractive charms remain, 3:612 To which the slighted Echo su'd in vain. 3:613 She saw him in his present misery, 3:614 Whom, spight of all her wrongs, she griev'd to see. 3:615 She answer'd sadly to the lover's moan, 3:616 Sigh'd back his sighs, and groan'd to ev'ry groan: 3:617 "Ah youth! belov'd in vain," Narcissus cries; 3:618 "Ah youth! belov'd in vain," the nymph replies. 3:619 "Farewel," says he; the parting sound scarce fell 3:620 From his faint lips, but she reply'd, "farewel." 3:621 Then on th' wholsome earth he gasping lyes, 3:622 'Till death shuts up those self-admiring eyes. 3:623 To the cold shades his flitting ghost retires, 3:624 And in the Stygian waves it self admires. 3:625 For him the Naiads and the Dryads mourn, 3:626 Whom the sad Echo answers in her turn; 3:627 And now the sister-nymphs prepare his urn: 3:628 When, looking for his corps, they only found 3:629 A rising stalk, with yellow blossoms crown'd. The Story of Pentheus 3:630 This sad event gave blind Tiresias fame, 3:631 Through Greece establish'd in a prophet's name. 3:632 Th' unhallow'd Pentheus only durst deride 3:633 The cheated people, and their eyeless guide. 3:634 To whom the prophet in his fury said, 3:635 Shaking the hoary honours of his head: 3:636 "'Twere well, presumptuous man, 'twere well for thee 3:637 If thou wert eyeless too, and blind, like me: 3:638 For the time comes, nay, 'tis already here, 3:639 When the young God's solemnities appear: 3:640 Which, if thou dost not with just rites adorn, 3:641 Thy impious carcass, into pieces torn, 3:642 Shall strew the woods, and hang on ev'ry thorn. 3:643 Then, then, remember what I now foretel, 3:644 And own the blind Tiresias saw too well." 3:645 Still Pentheus scorns him, and derides his skill; 3:646 But time did all the prophet's threats fulfil. 3:647 For now through prostrate Greece young Bacchus rode, 3:648 Whilst howling matrons celebrate the God: 3:649 All ranks and sexes to his Orgies ran, 3:650 To mingle in the pomps, and fill the train. 3:651 When Pentheus thus his wicked rage express'd: 3:652 "What madness, Thebans, has your souls possess'd? 3:653 Can hollow timbrels, can a drunken shout, 3:654 And the lewd clamours of a beastly rout, 3:655 Thus quell your courage; can the weak alarm 3:656 Of women's yells those stubborn souls disarm, 3:657 Whom nor the sword nor trumpet e'er could fright, 3:658 Nor the loud din and horror of a fight? 3:659 And you, our sires, who left your old abodes, 3:660 And fix'd in foreign earth your country Gods; 3:661 Will you without a stroak your city yield, 3:662 And poorly quit an undisputed field? 3:663 But you, whose youth and vigour should inspire 3:664 Heroick warmth, and kindle martial fire, 3:665 Whom burnish'd arms and crested helmets grace, 3:666 Not flow'ry garlands and a painted face; 3:667 Remember him to whom you stand ally'd: 3:668 The serpent for his well of waters dy'd. 3:669 He fought the strong; do you his courage show, 3:670 And gain a conquest o'er a feeble foe. 3:671 If Thebes must fall, oh might the fates afford 3:672 A nobler doom from famine, fire, or sword. 3:673 Then might the Thebans perish with renown: 3:674 But now a beardless victor sacks the town; 3:675 Whom nor the prancing steed, nor pond'rous shield, 3:676 Nor the hack'd helmet, nor the dusty field, 3:677 But the soft joys of luxury and ease, 3:678 The purple vests, and flow'ry garlands please. 3:679 Stand then aside, I'll make the counterfeit 3:680 Renounce his god-head, and confess the cheat. 3:681 Acrisius from the Grecian walls repell'd 3:682 This boasted pow'r; why then should Pentheus yield? 3:683 Go quickly drag th' impostor boy to me; 3:684 I'll try the force of his divinity." 3:685 Thus did th' audacious wretch those rites profane; 3:686 His friends dissuade th' audacious wretch in vain: 3:687 In vain his grandsire urg'd him to give o'er 3:688 His impious threats; the wretch but raves the more. 3:689 So have I seen a river gently glide, 3:690 In a smooth course, and inoffensive tide; 3:691 But if with dams its current we restrain, 3:692 It bears down all, and foams along the plain. 3:693 But now his servants came besmear'd with blood, 3:694 Sent by their haughty prince to seize the God; 3:695 The God they found not in the frantick throng, 3:696 But dragg'd a zealous votary along. The Mariners transform'd to Dolphins 3:697 Him Pentheus view'd with fury in his look, 3:698 And scarce with-held his hands, whilst thus he spoke: 3:699 "Vile slave! whom speedy vengeance shall pursue, 3:700 And terrify thy base seditious crew: 3:701 Thy country and thy parentage reveal, 3:702 And, why thou joinest in these mad Orgies, tell." 3:703 The captive views him with undaunted eyes, 3:704 And, arm'd with inward innocence, replies, 3:705 "From high Meonia's rocky shores I came, 3:706 Of poor descent, Acoetes is my name: 3:707 My sire was meanly born; no oxen plow'd 3:708 His fruitful fields, nor in his pastures low'd. 3:709 His whole estate within the waters lay; 3:710 With lines and hooks he caught the finny prey, 3:711 His art was all his livelyhood; which he 3:712 Thus with his dying lips bequeath'd to me: 3:713 In streams, my boy, and rivers take thy chance; 3:714 There swims, said he, thy whole inheritance. 3:715 Long did I live on this poor legacy; 3:716 'Till tir'd with rocks, and my old native sky, 3:717 To arts of navigation I inclin'd; 3:718 Observ'd the turns and changes of the wind, 3:719 Learn'd the fit havens, and began to note 3:720 The stormy Hyades, the rainy Goat, 3:721 The bright Taygete, and the shining Bears, 3:722 With all the sailor's catalogue of stars. 3:723 "Once, as by chance for Delos I design'd, 3:724 My vessel, driv'n by a strong gust of wind, 3:725 Moor'd in a Chian Creek; a-shore I went, 3:726 And all the following night in Chios spent. 3:727 When morning rose, I sent my mates to bring 3:728 Supplies of water from a neighb'ring spring, 3:729 Whilst I the motion of the winds explor'd; 3:730 Then summon'd in my crew, and went aboard. 3:731 Opheltes heard my summons, and with joy 3:732 Brought to the shore a soft and lovely boy, 3:733 With more than female sweetness in his look, 3:734 Whom straggling in the neighb'ring fields he took. 3:735 With fumes of wine the little captive glows, 3:736 And nods with sleep, and staggers as he goes. 3:737 "I view'd him nicely, and began to trace 3:738 Each heav'nly feature, each immortal grace, 3:739 And saw divinity in all his face, 3:740 I know not who, said I, this God should be; 3:741 But that he is a God I plainly see: 3:742 And thou, who-e'er thou art, excuse the force 3:743 These men have us'd; and oh befriend our course! 3:744 Pray not for us, the nimble Dictys cry'd, 3:745 Dictys, that could the main-top mast bestride, 3:746 And down the ropes with active vigour slide. 3:747 To the same purpose old Epopeus spoke, 3:748 Who over-look'd the oars, and tim'd the stroke; 3:749 The same the pilot, and the same the rest; 3:750 Such impious avarice their souls possest. 3:751 Nay, Heav'n forbid that I should bear away 3:752 Within my vessel so divine a prey, 3:753 Said I; and stood to hinder their intent: 3:754 When Lycabas, a wretch for murder sent 3:755 From Tuscany, to suffer banishment, 3:756 With his clench'd fist had struck me over-board, 3:757 Had not my hands in falling grasp'd a cord. 3:758 "His base confederates the fact approve; 3:759 When Bacchus (for 'twas he) begun to move, 3:760 Wak'd by the noise and clamours which they rais'd; 3:761 And shook his drowsie limbs, and round him gaz'd: 3:762 What means this noise? he cries; am I betray'd? 3:763 Ah, whither, whither must I be convey'd? 3:764 Fear not, said Proreus, child, but tell us where 3:765 You wish to land, and trust our friendly care. 3:766 To Naxos then direct your course, said he; 3:767 Naxos a hospitable port shall be 3:768 To each of you, a joyful home to me. 3:769 By ev'ry God, that rules the sea or sky, 3:770 The perjur'd villains promise to comply, 3:771 And bid me hasten to unmoor the ship. 3:772 With eager joy I launch into the deep; 3:773 And, heedless of the fraud, for Naxos stand. 3:774 They whisper oft, and beckon with the hand, 3:775 And give me signs, all anxious for their prey, 3:776 To tack about, and steer another way. 3:777 Then let some other to my post succeed, 3:778 Said I, I'm guiltless of so foul a deed. 3:779 What, says Ethalion, must the ship's whole crew 3:780 Follow your humour, and depend on you? 3:781 And strait himself he seated at the prore, 3:782 And tack'd about, and sought another shore. 3:783 "The beauteous youth now found himself betray'd, 3:784 And from the deck the rising waves survey'd, 3:785 And seem'd to weep, and as he wept he said: 3:786 And do you thus my easy faith beguile? 3:787 Thus do you bear me to my native isle? 3:788 Will such a multitude of men employ 3:789 Their strength against a weak defenceless boy? 3:790 "In vain did I the God-like youth deplore, 3:791 The more I begg'd, they thwarted me the more. 3:792 And now by all the Gods in Heav'n that hear 3:793 This solemn oath, by Bacchus' self, I swear, 3:794 The mighty miracle that did ensue, 3:795 Although it seems beyond belief, is true. 3:796 The vessel, fix'd and rooted in the flood, 3:797 Unmov'd by all the beating billows stood. 3:798 In vain the mariners would plow the main 3:799 With sails unfurl'd, and strike their oars in vain; 3:800 Around their oars a twining ivy cleaves, 3:801 And climbs the mast, and hides the cords in leaves: 3:802 The sails are cover'd with a chearful green, 3:803 And berries in the fruitful canvass seen. 3:804 Amidst the waves a sudden forest rears 3:805 Its verdant head, and a new Spring appears. 3:806 "The God we now behold with open'd eyes; 3:807 A herd of spotted panthers round him lyes 3:808 In glaring forms; the grapy clusters spread 3:809 On his fair brows, and dangle on his head. 3:810 And whilst he frowns, and brandishes his spear, 3:811 My mates surpriz'd with madness or with fear, 3:812 Leap'd over board; first perjur'd Madon found 3:813 Rough scales and fins his stiff'ning sides surround; 3:814 Ah what, cries one, has thus transform'd thy look? 3:815 Strait his own mouth grew wider as he spoke; 3:816 And now himself he views with like surprize. 3:817 Still at his oar th' industrious Libys plies; 3:818 But, as he plies, each busy arm shrinks in, 3:819 And by degrees is fashion'd to a fin. 3:820 Another, as he catches at a cord, 3:821 Misses his arms, and, tumbling over-board, 3:822 With his broad fins and forky tail he laves 3:823 The rising surge, and flounces in the waves. 3:824 Thus all my crew transform'd around the ship, 3:825 Or dive below, or on the surface leap, 3:826 And spout the waves, and wanton in the deep. 3:827 Full nineteen sailors did the ship convey, 3:828 A shole of nineteen dolphins round her play. 3:829 I only in my proper shape appear, 3:830 Speechless with wonder, and half dead with fear, 3:831 'Till Bacchus kindly bid me fear no more. 3:832 With him I landed on the Chian shore, 3:833 And him shall ever gratefully adore." 3:834 "This forging slave," says Pentheus, "would prevail 3:835 O'er our just fury by a far-fetch'd tale: 3:836 Go, let him feel the whips, the swords, the fire, 3:837 And in the tortures of the rack expire." 3:838 Th' officious servants hurry him away, 3:839 And the poor captive in a dungeon lay. 3:840 But, whilst the whips and tortures are prepar'd, 3:841 The gates fly open, of themselves unbarr'd; 3:842 At liberty th' unfetter'd captive stands, 3:843 And flings the loosen'd shackles from his hands. The Death of Pentheus 3:844 But Pentheus, grown more furious than before, 3:845 Resolv'd to send his messengers no more, 3:846 But went himself to the distracted throng, 3:847 Where high Cithaeron echo'd with their song. 3:848 And as the fiery war-horse paws the ground, 3:849 And snorts and trembles at the trumpet's sound; 3:850 Transported thus he heard the frantick rout, 3:851 And rav'd and madden'd at the distant shout. 3:852 A spacious circuit on the hill there stood. 3:853 Level and wide, and skirted round with wood; 3:854 Here the rash Pentheus, with unhallow'd eyes, 3:855 The howling dames and mystick Orgies spies. 3:856 His mother sternly view'd him where he stood, 3:857 And kindled into madness as she view'd: 3:858 Her leafy jav'lin at her son she cast, 3:859 And cries, "The boar that lays our country waste! 3:860 The boar, my sisters! Aim the fatal dart, 3:861 And strike the brindled monster to the heart." 3:862 Pentheus astonish'd heard the dismal sound, 3:863 And sees the yelling matrons gath'ring round; 3:864 He sees, and weeps at his approaching fate, 3:865 And begs for mercy, and repents too late. 3:866 "Help, help! my aunt Autonoe," he cry'd; 3:867 "Remember, how your own Actaeon dy'd." 3:868 Deaf to his cries, the frantick matron crops 3:869 One stretch'd-out arm, the other Ino lops. 3:870 In vain does Pentheus to his mother sue, 3:871 And the raw bleeding stumps presents to view: 3:872 His mother howl'd; and, heedless of his pray'r, 3:873 Her trembling hand she twisted in his hair, 3:874 "And this," she cry'd, "shall be Agave's share," 3:875 When from the neck his struggling head she tore, 3:876 And in her hands the ghastly visage bore. 3:877 With pleasure all the hideous trunk survey; 3:878 Then pull'd and tore the mangled limbs away, 3:879 As starting in the pangs of death it lay, 3:880 Soon as the wood its leafy honours casts, 3:881 Blown off and scatter'd by autumnal blasts, 3:882 With such a sudden death lay Pentheus slain, 3:883 And in a thousand pieces strow'd the plain. 3:884 By so distinguishing a judgment aw'd, 3:885 The Thebans tremble, and confess the God. BOOK THE FOURTH The Story of Alcithoe and her Sisters 4:1 Yet still Alcithoe perverse remains, 4:2 And Bacchus still, and all his rites, disdains. 4:3 Too rash, and madly bold, she bids him prove 4:4 Himself a God, nor owns the son of Jove. 4:5 Her sisters too unanimous agree, 4:6 Faithful associates in impiety. 4:7 Be this a solemn feast, the priest had said; 4:8 Be, with each mistress, unemploy'd each maid. 4:9 With skins of beasts your tender limbs enclose, 4:10 And with an ivy-crown adorn your brows, 4:11 The leafy Thyrsus high in triumph bear, 4:12 And give your locks to wanton in the air. 4:13 These rites profan'd, the holy seer foreshow'd 4:14 A mourning people, and a vengeful God. 4:15 Matrons and pious wives obedience show, 4:16 Distaffs, and wooll, half spun, away they throw: 4:17 Then incense burn, and, Bacchus, thee adore, 4:18 Or lov'st thou Nyseus, or Lyaeus more? 4:19 O! doubly got, O! doubly born, they sung, 4:20 Thou mighty Bromius, hail, from light'ning sprung! 4:21 Hail, Thyon, Eleleus! each name is thine: 4:22 Or, listen parent of the genial vine! 4:23 Iachus! Evan! loudly they repeat, 4:24 And not one Grecian attribute forget, 4:25 Which to thy praise, great Deity, belong, 4:26 Stil'd justly Liber in the Roman song. 4:27 Eternity of youth is thine! enjoy 4:28 Years roul'd on years, yet still a blooming boy. 4:29 In Heav'n thou shin'st with a superior grace; 4:30 Conceal thy horns, and 'tis a virgin's face. 4:31 Thou taught'st the tawny Indian to obey, 4:32 And Ganges, smoothly flowing, own'd thy sway. 4:33 Lycurgus, Pentheus, equally profane, 4:34 By thy just vengeance equally were slain. 4:35 By thee the Tuscans, who conspir'd to keep 4:36 Thee captive, plung'd, and cut with finns the deep. 4:37 With painted reins, all-glitt'ring from afar, 4:38 The spotted lynxes proudly draw thy car. 4:39 Around, the Bacchae, and the satyrs throng; 4:40 Behind, Silenus, drunk, lags slow along: 4:41 On his dull ass he nods from side to side, 4:42 Forbears to fall, yet half forgets to ride. 4:43 Still at thy near approach, applauses loud 4:44 Are heard, with yellings of the female crowd. 4:45 Timbrels, and boxen pipes, with mingled cries, 4:46 Swell up in sounds confus'd, and rend the skies. 4:47 Come, Bacchus, come propitious, all implore, 4:48 And act thy sacred orgies o'er and o'er. 4:49 But Mineus' daughters, while these rites were pay'd, 4:50 At home, impertinently busie, stay'd. 4:51 Their wicked tasks they ply with various art, 4:52 And thro' the loom the sliding shuttle dart; 4:53 Or at the fire to comb the wooll they stand, 4:54 Or twirl the spindle with a dext'rous hand. 4:55 Guilty themselves, they force the guiltless in; 4:56 Their maids, who share the labour, share the sin. 4:57 At last one sister cries, who nimbly knew 4:58 To draw nice threads, and winde the finest clue, 4:59 While others idly rove, and Gods revere, 4:60 Their fancy'd Gods! they know not who, or where; 4:61 Let us, whom Pallas taught her better arts, 4:62 Still working, cheer with mirthful chat our hearts, 4:63 And to deceive the time, let me prevail 4:64 With each by turns to tell some antique tale. 4:65 She said: her sisters lik'd the humour well, 4:66 And smiling, bad her the first story tell. 4:67 But she a-while profoundly seem'd to muse, 4:68 Perplex'd amid variety to chuse: 4:69 And knew not, whether she should first relate 4:70 The poor Dircetis, and her wond'rous fate. 4:71 The Palestines believe it to a man, 4:72 And show the lake, in which her scales began. 4:73 Or if she rather should the daughter sing, 4:74 Who in the hoary verge of life took wing; 4:75 Who soar'd from Earth, and dwelt in tow'rs on high, 4:76 And now a dove she flits along the sky. 4:77 Or how lewd Nais, when her lust was cloy'd, 4:78 To fishes turn'd the youths, she had enjoy'd, 4:79 By pow'rful verse, and herbs; effect most strange! 4:80 At last the changer shar'd herself the change. 4:81 Or how the tree, which once white berries bore, 4:82 Still crimson bears, since stain'd with crimson gore. 4:83 The tree was new; she likes it, and begins 4:84 To tell the tale, and as she tells, she spins. The Story of Pyramus and Thisbe 4:85 In Babylon, where first her queen, for state 4:86 Rais'd walls of brick magnificently great, 4:87 Liv'd Pyramus, and Thisbe, lovely pair! 4:88 He found no eastern youth his equal there, 4:89 And she beyond the fairest nymph was fair. 4:90 A closer neighbourhood was never known, 4:91 Tho' two the houses, yet the roof was one. 4:92 Acquaintance grew, th' acquaintance they improve 4:93 To friendship, friendship ripen'd into love: 4:94 Love had been crown'd, but impotently mad, 4:95 What parents could not hinder, they forbad. 4:96 For with fierce flames young Pyramus still burn'd, 4:97 And grateful Thisbe flames as fierce return'd. 4:98 Aloud in words their thoughts they dare not break, 4:99 But silent stand; and silent looks can speak. 4:100 The fire of love the more it is supprest, 4:101 The more it glows, and rages in the breast. 4:102 When the division-wall was built, a chink 4:103 Was left, the cement unobserv'd to shrink. 4:104 So slight the cranny, that it still had been 4:105 For centuries unclos'd, because unseen. 4:106 But oh! what thing so small, so secret lies, 4:107 Which scapes, if form'd for love, a lover's eyes? 4:108 Ev'n in this narrow chink they quickly found 4:109 A friendly passage for a trackless sound. 4:110 Safely they told their sorrows, and their joys, 4:111 In whisper'd murmurs, and a dying noise, 4:112 By turns to catch each other's breath they strove, 4:113 And suck'd in all the balmy breeze of love. 4:114 Oft as on diff'rent sides they stood, they cry'd, 4:115 Malicious wall, thus lovers to divide! 4:116 Suppose, thou should'st a-while to us give place 4:117 To lock, and fasten in a close embrace: 4:118 But if too much to grant so sweet a bliss, 4:119 Indulge at least the pleasure of a kiss. 4:120 We scorn ingratitude: to thee, we know, 4:121 This safe conveyance of our minds we owe. 4:122 Thus they their vain petition did renew 4:123 'Till night, and then they softly sigh'd adieu. 4:124 But first they strove to kiss, and that was all; 4:125 Their kisses dy'd untasted on the wall. 4:126 Soon as the morn had o'er the stars prevail'd, 4:127 And warm'd by Phoebus, flow'rs their dews exhal'd, 4:128 The lovers to their well-known place return, 4:129 Alike they suffer, and alike they mourn. 4:130 At last their parents they resolve to cheat 4:131 (If to deceive in love be call'd deceit), 4:132 To steal by night from home, and thence unknown 4:133 To seek the fields, and quit th' unfaithful town. 4:134 But, to prevent their wand'ring in the dark, 4:135 They both agree to fix upon a mark; 4:136 A mark, that could not their designs expose: 4:137 The tomb of Ninus was the mark they chose. 4:138 There they might rest secure beneath the shade, 4:139 Which boughs, with snowy fruit encumber'd, made: 4:140 A wide-spread mulberry its rise had took 4:141 Just on the margin of a gurgling brook. 4:142 Impatient for the friendly dusk they stay; 4:143 And chide the slowness of departing day; 4:144 In western seas down sunk at last the light, 4:145 From western seas up-rose the shades of night. 4:146 The loving Thisbe ev'n prevents the hour, 4:147 With cautious silence she unlocks the door, 4:148 And veils her face, and marching thro' the gloom 4:149 Swiftly arrives at th' assignation-tomb. 4:150 For still the fearful sex can fearless prove; 4:151 Boldly they act, if spirited by love. 4:152 When lo! a lioness rush'd o'er the plain, 4:153 Grimly besmear'd with blood of oxen slain: 4:154 And what to the dire sight new horrors brought, 4:155 To slake her thirst the neighb'ring spring she sought. 4:156 Which, by the moon, when trembling Thisbe spies, 4:157 Wing'd with her fear, swift, as the wind, she flies; 4:158 And in a cave recovers from her fright, 4:159 But drop'd her veil, confounded in her flight. 4:160 When sated with repeated draughts, again 4:161 The queen of beasts scour'd back along the plain, 4:162 She found the veil, and mouthing it all o'er, 4:163 With bloody jaws the lifeless prey she tore. 4:164 The youth, who could not cheat his guards so soon, 4:165 Late came, and noted by the glimm'ring moon 4:166 Some savage feet, new printed on the ground, 4:167 His cheeks turn'd pale, his limbs no vigour found; 4:168 But when, advancing on, the veil he spied 4:169 Distain'd with blood, and ghastly torn, he cried, 4:170 One night shall death to two young lovers give, 4:171 But she deserv'd unnumber'd years to live! 4:172 'Tis I am guilty, I have thee betray'd, 4:173 Who came not early, as my charming maid. 4:174 Whatever slew thee, I the cause remain, 4:175 I nam'd, and fix'd the place where thou wast slain. 4:176 Ye lions from your neighb'ring dens repair, 4:177 Pity the wretch, this impious body tear! 4:178 But cowards thus for death can idly cry; 4:179 The brave still have it in their pow'r to die. 4:180 Then to th' appointed tree he hastes away, 4:181 The veil first gather'd, tho' all rent it lay: 4:182 The veil all rent yet still it self endears, 4:183 He kist, and kissing, wash'd it with his tears. 4:184 Tho' rich (he cry'd) with many a precious stain, 4:185 Still from my blood a deeper tincture gain. 4:186 Then in his breast his shining sword he drown'd, 4:187 And fell supine, extended on the ground. 4:188 As out again the blade lie dying drew, 4:189 Out spun the blood, and streaming upwards flew. 4:190 So if a conduit-pipe e'er burst you saw, 4:191 Swift spring the gushing waters thro' the flaw: 4:192 Then spouting in a bow, they rise on high, 4:193 And a new fountain plays amid the sky. 4:194 The berries, stain'd with blood, began to show 4:195 A dark complexion, and forgot their snow; 4:196 While fatten'd with the flowing gore, the root 4:197 Was doom'd for ever to a purple fruit. 4:198 Mean-time poor Thisbe fear'd, so long she stay'd, 4:199 Her lover might suspect a perjur'd maid. 4:200 Her fright scarce o'er, she strove the youth to find 4:201 With ardent eyes, which spoke an ardent mind. 4:202 Already in his arms, she hears him sigh 4:203 At her destruction, which was once so nigh. 4:204 The tomb, the tree, but not the fruit she knew, 4:205 The fruit she doubted for its alter'd hue. 4:206 Still as she doubts, her eyes a body found 4:207 Quiv'ring in death, and gasping on the ground. 4:208 She started back, the red her cheeks forsook, 4:209 And ev'ry nerve with thrilling horrors shook. 4:210 So trembles the smooth surface of the seas, 4:211 If brush'd o'er gently with a rising breeze. 4:212 But when her view her bleeding love confest, 4:213 She shriek'd, she tore her hair, she beat her breast. 4:214 She rais'd the body, and embrac'd it round, 4:215 And bath'd with tears unfeign'd the gaping wound. 4:216 Then her warm lips to the cold face apply'd, 4:217 And is it thus, ah! thus we meet, she cry'd! 4:218 My Pyramus! whence sprung thy cruel fate? 4:219 My Pyramus!- ah! speak, ere 'tis too late. 4:220 I, thy own Thisbe, but one word implore, 4:221 One word thy Thisbe never ask'd before. 4:222 At Thisbe's name, awak'd, he open'd wide 4:223 His dying eyes; with dying eyes he try'd 4:224 On her to dwell, but clos'd them slow, and dy'd. 4:225 The fatal cause was now at last explor'd, 4:226 Her veil she knew, and saw his sheathless sword: 4:227 From thy own hand thy ruin thou hast found, 4:228 She said, but love first taught that hand to wound, 4:229 Ev'n I for thee as bold a hand can show, 4:230 And love, which shall as true direct the blow. 4:231 I will against the woman's weakness strive, 4:232 And never thee, lamented youth, survive. 4:233 The world may say, I caus'd, alas! thy death, 4:234 But saw thee breathless, and resign'd my breath. 4:235 Fate, tho' it conquers, shall no triumph gain, 4:236 Fate, that divides us, still divides in vain. 4:237 Now, both our cruel parents, hear my pray'r; 4:238 My pray'r to offer for us both I dare; 4:239 Oh! see our ashes in one urn confin'd, 4:240 Whom love at first, and fate at last has join'd. 4:241 The bliss, you envy'd, is not our request; 4:242 Lovers, when dead, may sure together rest. 4:243 Thou, tree, where now one lifeless lump is laid, 4:244 Ere-long o'er two shalt cast a friendly shade. 4:245 Still let our loves from thee be understood, 4:246 Still witness in thy purple fruit our blood. 4:247 She spoke, and in her bosom plung'd the sword, 4:248 All warm and reeking from its slaughter'd lord. 4:249 The pray'r, which dying Thisbe had preferr'd, 4:250 Both Gods, and parents, with compassion heard. 4:251 The whiteness of the mulberry soon fled, 4:252 And rip'ning, sadden'd in a dusky red: 4:253 While both their parents their lost children mourn, 4:254 And mix their ashes in one golden urn. 4:255 Thus did the melancholy tale conclude, 4:256 And a short, silent interval ensu'd. 4:257 The next in birth unloos'd her artful tongue, 4:258 And drew attentive all the sister-throng. The Story of Leucothoe and the Sun 4:259 The Sun, the source of light, by beauty's pow'r 4:260 Once am'rous grew; then hear the Sun's amour. 4:261 Venus, and Mars, with his far-piercing eyes 4:262 This God first spy'd; this God first all things spies. 4:263 Stung at the sight, and swift on mischief bent, 4:264 To haughty Juno's shapeless son he went: 4:265 The Goddess, and her God gallant betray'd, 4:266 And told the cuckold, where their pranks were play'd. 4:267 Poor Vulcan soon desir'd to hear no more, 4:268 He drop'd his hammer, and he shook all o'er: 4:269 Then courage takes, and full of vengeful ire 4:270 He heaves the bellows, and blows fierce the fire: 4:271 From liquid brass, tho' sure, yet subtile snares 4:272 He forms, and next a wond'rous net prepares, 4:273 Drawn with such curious art, so nicely sly, 4:274 Unseen the mashes cheat the searching eye. 4:275 Not half so thin their webs the spiders weave, 4:276 Which the most wary, buzzing prey deceive. 4:277 These chains, obedient to the touch, he spread 4:278 In secret foldings o'er the conscious bed: 4:279 The conscious bed again was quickly prest 4:280 By the fond pair, in lawless raptures blest. 4:281 Mars wonder'd at his Cytherea's charms, 4:282 More fast than ever lock'd within her arms. 4:283 While Vulcan th' iv'ry doors unbarr'd with care, 4:284 Then call'd the Gods to view the sportive pair: 4:285 The Gods throng'd in, and saw in open day, 4:286 Where Mars, and beauty's queen, all naked, lay. 4:287 O! shameful sight, if shameful that we name, 4:288 Which Gods with envy view'd, and could not blame; 4:289 But, for the pleasure, wish'd to bear the shame. 4:290 Each Deity, with laughter tir'd, departs, 4:291 Yet all still laugh'd at Vulcan in their hearts. 4:292 Thro' Heav'n the news of this surprizal run, 4:293 But Venus did not thus forget the Sun. 4:294 He, who stol'n transports idly had betray'd, 4:295 By a betrayer was in kind repay'd. 4:296 What now avails, great God, thy piercing blaze, 4:297 That youth, and beauty, and those golden rays? 4:298 Thou, who can'st warm this universe alone, 4:299 Feel'st now a warmth more pow'rful than thy own: 4:300 And those bright eyes, which all things should survey, 4:301 Know not from fair Leucothoe to stray. 4:302 The lamp of light, for human good design'd, 4:303 Is to one virgin niggardly confin'd. 4:304 Sometimes too early rise thy eastern beams, 4:305 Sometimes too late they set in western streams: 4:306 'Tis then her beauty thy swift course delays, 4:307 And gives to winter skies long summer days. 4:308 Now in thy face thy love-sick mind appears, 4:309 And spreads thro' impious nations empty fears: 4:310 For when thy beamless head is wrapt in night, 4:311 Poor mortals tremble in despair of light. 4:312 'Tis not the moon, that o'er thee casts a veil 4:313 'Tis love alone, which makes thy looks so pale. 4:314 Leucothoe is grown thy only care, 4:315 Not Phaeton's fair mother now is fair. 4:316 The youthful Rhodos moves no tender thought, 4:317 And beauteous Porsa is at last forgot. 4:318 Fond Clytie, scorn'd, yet lov'd, and sought thy bed, 4:319 Ev'n then thy heart for other virgins bled. 4:320 Leucothoe has all thy soul possest, 4:321 And chas'd each rival passion from thy breast. 4:322 To this bright nymph Eurynome gave birth 4:323 In the blest confines of the spicy Earth. 4:324 Excelling others, she herself beheld 4:325 By her own blooming daughter far excell'd. 4:326 The sire was Orchamus, whose vast command, 4:327 The sev'nth from Belus, rul'd the Persian Land. 4:328 Deep in cool vales, beneath th' Hesperian sky, 4:329 For the Sun's fiery steeds the pastures lye. 4:330 Ambrosia there they eat, and thence they gain 4:331 New vigour, and their daily toils sustain. 4:332 While thus on heav'nly food the coursers fed, 4:333 And night, around, her gloomy empire spread, 4:334 The God assum'd the mother's shape and air, 4:335 And pass'd, unheeded, to his darling fair. 4:336 Close by a lamp, with maids encompass'd round, 4:337 The royal spinster, full employ'd, he found: 4:338 Then cry'd, A-while from work, my daughter, rest; 4:339 And, like a mother, scarce her lips he prest. 4:340 Servants retire!- nor secrets dare to hear, 4:341 Intrusted only to a daughter's ear. 4:342 They swift obey'd: not one, suspicious, thought 4:343 The secret, which their mistress would be taught. 4:344 Then he: since now no witnesses are near, 4:345 Behold! the God, who guides the various year! 4:346 The world's vast eye, of light the source serene, 4:347 Who all things sees, by whom are all things seen. 4:348 Believe me, nymph! (for I the truth have show'd) 4:349 Thy charms have pow'r to charm so great a God. 4:350 Confus'd, she heard him his soft passion tell, 4:351 And on the floor, untwirl'd, the spindle fell: 4:352 Still from the sweet confusion some new grace 4:353 Blush'd out by stealth, and languish'd in her face. 4:354 The lover, now inflam'd, himself put on, 4:355 And out at once the God, all-radiant, shone. 4:356 The virgin startled at his alter'd form, 4:357 Too weak to bear a God's impetuous storm: 4:358 No more against the dazling youth she strove, 4:359 But silent yielded, and indulg'd his love. 4:360 This Clytie knew, and knew she was undone, 4:361 Whose soul was fix'd, and doated on the Sun. 4:362 She rag'd to think on her neglected charms, 4:363 And Phoebus, panting in another's arms. 4:364 With envious madness fir'd, she flies in haste, 4:365 And tells the king, his daughter was unchaste. 4:366 The king, incens'd to hear his honour stain'd, 4:367 No more the father nor the man retain'd. 4:368 In vain she stretch'd her arms, and turn'd her eyes 4:369 To her lov'd God, th' enlightner of the skies. 4:370 In vain she own'd it was a crime, yet still 4:371 It was a crime not acted by her will. 4:372 The brutal sire stood deaf to ev'ry pray'r, 4:373 And deep in Earth entomb'd alive the fair. 4:374 What Phoebus could do, was by Phoebus done: 4:375 Full on her grave with pointed beams he shone: 4:376 To pointed beams the gaping Earth gave way; 4:377 Had the nymph eyes, her eyes had seen the day, 4:378 But lifeless now, yet lovely still, she lay. 4:379 Not more the God wept, when the world was fir'd, 4:380 And in the wreck his blooming boy expir'd. 4:381 The vital flame he strives to light again, 4:382 And warm the frozen blood in ev'ry vein: 4:383 But since resistless Fates deny'd that pow'r, 4:384 On the cold nymph he rain'd a nectar show'r. 4:385 Ah! undeserving thus (he said) to die, 4:386 Yet still in odours thou shalt reach the sky. 4:387 The body soon dissolv'd, and all around 4:388 Perfum'd with heav'nly fragrancies the ground, 4:389 A sacrifice for Gods up-rose from thence, 4:390 A sweet, delightful tree of frankincense. The Transformation of Clytie 4:391 Tho' guilty Clytie thus the sun betray'd, 4:392 By too much passion she was guilty made. 4:393 Excess of love begot excess of grief, 4:394 Grief fondly bad her hence to hope relief. 4:395 But angry Phoebus hears, unmov'd, her sighs, 4:396 And scornful from her loath'd embraces flies. 4:397 All day, all night, in trackless wilds, alone 4:398 She pin'd, and taught the list'ning rocks her moan. 4:399 On the bare earth she lies, her bosom bare, 4:400 Loose her attire, dishevel'd is her hair. 4:401 Nine times the morn unbarr'd the gates of light, 4:402 As oft were spread th' alternate shades of night, 4:403 So long no sustenance the mourner knew, 4:404 Unless she drunk her tears, or suck'd the dew. 4:405 She turn'd about, but rose not from the ground, 4:406 Turn'd to the Sun, still as he roul'd his round: 4:407 On his bright face hung her desiring eyes, 4:408 'Till fix'd to Earth, she strove in vain to rise. 4:409 Her looks their paleness in a flow'r retain'd, 4:410 But here, and there, some purple streaks they gain'd. 4:411 Still the lov'd object the fond leafs pursue, 4:412 Still move their root, the moving Sun to view, 4:413 And in the Heliotrope the nymph is true. 4:414 The sisters heard these wonders with surprise, 4:415 But part receiv'd them as romantick lies; 4:416 And pertly rally'd, that they could not see 4:417 In Pow'rs divine so vast an energy. 4:418 Part own'd, true Gods such miracles might do, 4:419 But own'd not Bacchus, one among the true. 4:420 At last a common, just request they make, 4:421 And beg Alcithoe her turn to take. 4:422 I will (she said) and please you, if I can. 4:423 Then shot her shuttle swift, and thus began. 4:424 The fate of Daphnis is a fate too known, 4:425 Whom an enamour'd nymph transform'd to stone, 4:426 Because she fear'd another nymph might see 4:427 The lovely youth, and love as much as she: 4:428 So strange the madness is of jealousie! 4:429 Nor shall I tell, what changes Scython made, 4:430 And how he walk'd a man, or tripp'd a maid. 4:431 You too would peevish frown, and patience want 4:432 To hear, how Celmis grew an adamant. 4:433 He once was dear to Jove, and saw of old 4:434 Jove, when a child; but what he saw, he told. 4:435 Crocus, and Smilax may be turn'd to flow'rs, 4:436 And the Curetes spring from bounteous show'rs; 4:437 I pass a hundred legends stale, as these, 4:438 And with sweet novelty your taste will please. The Story of Salmacis and Hermaphroditus 4:439 How Salmacis, with weak enfeebling streams 4:440 Softens the body, and unnerves the limbs, 4:441 And what the secret cause, shall here be shown; 4:442 The cause is secret, but th' effect is known. 4:443 The Naids nurst an infant heretofore, 4:444 That Cytherea once to Hermes bore: 4:445 From both th' illustrious authors of his race 4:446 The child was nam'd, nor was it hard to trace 4:447 Both the bright parents thro' the infant's face. 4:448 When fifteen years in Ida's cool retreat 4:449 The boy had told, he left his native seat, 4:450 And sought fresh fountains in a foreign soil: 4:451 The pleasure lessen'd the attending toil, 4:452 With eager steps the Lycian fields he crost, 4:453 A river here he view'd so lovely bright, 4:454 It shew'd the bottom in a fairer light, 4:455 Nor kept a sand conceal'd from human sight. 4:456 The stream produc'd nor slimy ooze, nor weeds, 4:457 Nor miry rushes, nor the spiky reeds; 4:458 But dealt enriching moisture all around, 4:459 The fruitful banks with chearful verdure crown'd, 4:460 And kept the spring eternal on the ground. 4:461 A nymph presides, not practis'd in the chace, 4:462 Nor skilful at the bow, nor at the race; 4:463 Of all the blue-ey'd daughters of the main, 4:464 The only stranger to Diana's train: 4:465 Her sisters often, as 'tis said, wou'd cry, 4:466 "Fie Salmacis: what, always idle! fie. 4:467 Or take thy quiver, or thy arrows seize, 4:468 And mix the toils of hunting with thy ease." 4:469 Nor quiver she nor arrows e'er wou'd seize, 4:470 Nor mix the toils of hunting with her ease. 4:471 But oft would bathe her in the chrystal tide, 4:472 Oft with a comb her dewy locks divide; 4:473 Now in the limpid streams she views her face, 4:474 And drest her image in the floating glass: 4:475 On beds of leaves she now repos'd her limbs, 4:476 Now gather'd flow'rs that grew about her streams, 4:477 And then by chance was gathering, as he stood 4:478 To view the boy, and long'd for what she view'd. 4:479 Fain wou'd she meet the youth with hasty feet, 4:480 She fain wou'd meet him, but refus'd to meet 4:481 Before her looks were set with nicest care, 4:482 And well deserv'd to be reputed fair. 4:483 "Bright youth," she cries, "whom all thy features prove 4:484 A God, and, if a God, the God of love; 4:485 But if a mortal, blest thy nurse's breast, 4:486 Blest are thy parents, and thy sisters blest: 4:487 But oh how blest! how more than blest thy bride, 4:488 Ally'd in bliss, if any yet ally'd. 4:489 If so, let mine the stoln enjoyments be; 4:490 If not, behold a willing bride in me." 4:491 The boy knew nought of love, and toucht with shame, 4:492 He strove, and blusht, but still the blush became: 4:493 In rising blushes still fresh beauties rose; 4:494 The sunny side of fruit such blushes shows, 4:495 And such the moon, when all her silver white 4:496 Turns in eclipses to a ruddy light. 4:497 The nymph still begs, if not a nobler bliss, 4:498 A cold salute at least, a sister's kiss: 4:499 And now prepares to take the lovely boy 4:500 Between her arms. He, innocently coy, 4:501 Replies, "Or leave me to my self alone, 4:502 You rude uncivil nymph, or I'll be gone." 4:503 "Fair stranger then," says she, "it shall be so"; 4:504 And, for she fear'd his threats, she feign'd to go: 4:505 But hid within a covert's neighbouring green, 4:506 She kept him still in sight, herself unseen. 4:507 The boy now fancies all the danger o'er, 4:508 And innocently sports about the shore, 4:509 Playful and wanton to the stream he trips, 4:510 And dips his foot, and shivers as he dips. 4:511 The coolness pleas'd him, and with eager haste 4:512 His airy garments on the banks he cast; 4:513 His godlike features, and his heav'nly hue, 4:514 And all his beauties were expos'd to view. 4:515 His naked limbs the nymph with rapture spies, 4:516 While hotter passions in her bosom rise, 4:517 Flush in her cheeks, and sparkle in her eyes. 4:518 She longs, she burns to clasp him in her arms, 4:519 And looks, and sighs, and kindles at his charms. 4:520 Now all undrest upon the banks he stood, 4:521 And clapt his sides, and leapt into the flood: 4:522 His lovely limbs the silver waves divide, 4:523 His limbs appear more lovely through the tide; 4:524 As lillies shut within a chrystal case, 4:525 Receive a glossy lustre from the glass. 4:526 He's mine, he's all my own, the Naid cries, 4:527 And flings off all, and after him she flies. 4:528 And now she fastens on him as he swims, 4:529 And holds him close, and wraps about his limbs. 4:530 The more the boy resisted, and was coy, 4:531 The more she clipt, and kist the strugling boy. 4:532 So when the wrigling snake is snatcht on high 4:533 In Eagle's claws, and hisses in the sky, 4:534 Around the foe his twirling tail he flings, 4:535 And twists her legs, and wriths about her wings. 4:536 The restless boy still obstinately strove 4:537 To free himself, and still refus'd her love. 4:538 Amidst his limbs she kept her limbs intwin'd, 4:539 "And why, coy youth," she cries, "why thus unkind! 4:540 Oh may the Gods thus keep us ever join'd! 4:541 Oh may we never, never part again!" 4:542 So pray'd the nymph, nor did she pray in vain: 4:543 For now she finds him, as his limbs she prest, 4:544 Grow nearer still, and nearer to her breast; 4:545 'Till, piercing each the other's flesh, they run 4:546 Together, and incorporate in one: 4:547 Last in one face are both their faces join'd, 4:548 As when the stock and grafted twig combin'd 4:549 Shoot up the same, and wear a common rind: 4:550 Both bodies in a single body mix, 4:551 A single body with a double sex. 4:552 The boy, thus lost in woman, now survey'd 4:553 The river's guilty stream, and thus he pray'd. 4:554 (He pray'd, but wonder'd at his softer tone, 4:555 Surpriz'd to hear a voice but half his own.) 4:556 You parent-Gods, whose heav'nly names I bear, 4:557 Hear your Hermaphrodite, and grant my pray'r; 4:558 Oh grant, that whomsoe'er these streams contain, 4:559 If man he enter'd, he may rise again 4:560 Supple, unsinew'd, and but half a man! 4:561 The heav'nly parents answer'd from on high, 4:562 Their two-shap'd son, the double votary 4:563 Then gave a secret virtue to the flood, 4:564 And ting'd its source to make his wishes good. Alcithoe and her Sisters transform'd to Bats 4:565 But Mineus' daughters still their tasks pursue, 4:566 To wickedness most obstinately true: 4:567 At Bacchus still they laugh, when all around, 4:568 Unseen, the timbrels hoarse were heard to sound. 4:569 Saffron and myrrh their fragrant odours shed, 4:570 And now the present deity they dread. 4:571 Strange to relate! Here ivy first was seen, 4:572 Along the distaff crept the wond'rous green. 4:573 Then sudden-springing vines began to bloom, 4:574 And the soft tendrils curl'd around the loom: 4:575 While purple clusters, dangling from on high, 4:576 Ting'd the wrought purple with a second die. 4:577 Now from the skies was shot a doubtful light, 4:578 The day declining to the bounds of night. 4:579 The fabrick's firm foundations shake all o'er, 4:580 False tigers rage, and figur'd lions roar. 4:581 Torches, aloft, seem blazing in the air, 4:582 And angry flashes of red light'nings glare. 4:583 To dark recesses, the dire sight to shun, 4:584 Swift the pale sisters in confusion run. 4:585 Their arms were lost in pinions, as they fled, 4:586 And subtle films each slender limb o'er-spread. 4:587 Their alter'd forms their senses soon reveal'd; 4:588 Their forms, how alter'd, darkness still conceal'd. 4:589 Close to the roof each, wond'ring, upwards springs, 4:590 Born on unknown, transparent, plumeless wings. 4:591 They strove for words; their little bodies found 4:592 No words, but murmur'd in a fainting sound. 4:593 In towns, not woods, the sooty bats delight, 4:594 And, never, 'till the dusk, begin their flight; 4:595 'Till Vesper rises with his ev'ning flame; 4:596 From whom the Romans have deriv'd their name. The Transformation of Ino and Melicerta to Sea-Gods 4:597 The pow'r of Bacchus now o'er Thebes had flown: 4:598 With awful rev'rence soon the God they own. 4:599 Proud Ino, all around the wonder tells, 4:600 And on her nephew deity still dwells. 4:601 Of num'rous sisters, she alone yet knew 4:602 No grief, but grief, which she from sisters drew. 4:603 Imperial Juno saw her with disdain, 4:604 Vain in her offspring, in her consort vain, 4:605 Who rul'd the trembling Thebans with a nod, 4:606 But saw her vainest in her foster-God. 4:607 Could then (she cry'd) a bastard-boy have pow'r 4:608 To make a mother her own son devour? 4:609 Could he the Tuscan crew to fishes change, 4:610 And now three sisters damn to forms so strange? 4:611 Yet shall the wife of Jove find no relief? 4:612 Shall she, still unreveng'd, disclose her grief? 4:613 Have I the mighty freedom to complain? 4:614 Is that my pow'r? is that to ease my pain? 4:615 A foe has taught me vengeance; and who ought 4:616 To scorn that vengeance, which a foe has taught? 4:617 What sure destruction frantick rage can throw, 4:618 The gaping wounds of slaughter'd Pentheus show. 4:619 Why should not Ino, fir'd with madness, stray, 4:620 Like her mad sisters her own kindred slay? 4:621 Why, she not follow, where they lead the way? 4:622 Down a steep, yawning cave, where yews display'd 4:623 In arches meet, and lend a baleful shade, 4:624 Thro' silent labyrinths a passage lies 4:625 To mournful regions, and infernal skies. 4:626 Here Styx exhales its noisome clouds, and here, 4:627 The fun'ral rites once paid, all souls appear. 4:628 Stiff cold, and horror with a ghastly face 4:629 And staring eyes, infest the dreary place. 4:630 Ghosts, new-arriv'd, and strangers to these plains, 4:631 Know not the palace, where grim Pluto reigns. 4:632 They journey doubtful, nor the road can tell, 4:633 Which leads to the metropolis of Hell. 4:634 A thousand avenues those tow'rs command, 4:635 A thousand gates for ever open stand. 4:636 As all the rivers, disembogu'd, find room 4:637 For all their waters in old Ocean's womb: 4:638 So this vast city worlds of shades receives, 4:639 And space for millions still of worlds she leaves. 4:640 Th' unbody'd spectres freely rove, and show 4:641 Whate'er they lov'd on Earth, they love below. 4:642 The lawyers still, or right, or wrong, support, 4:643 The courtiers smoothly glide to Pluto's court. 4:644 Still airy heroes thoughts of glory fire, 4:645 Still the dead poet strings his deathless lyre, 4:646 And lovers still with fancy'd darts expire. 4:647 The Queen of Heaven, to gratify her hate, 4:648 And sooth immortal wrath, forgets her state. 4:649 Down from the realms of day, to realms of night, 4:650 The Goddess swift precipitates her flight. 4:651 At Hell arriv'd, the noise Hell's porter heard, 4:652 Th' enormous dog his triple head up-rear'd: 4:653 Thrice from three grizly throats he howl'd profound, 4:654 Then suppliant couch'd, and stretch'd along the ground. 4:655 The trembling threshold, which Saturnia prest, 4:656 The weight of such divinity confest. 4:657 Before a lofty, adamantine gate, 4:658 Which clos'd a tow'r of brass, the Furies sate: 4:659 Mis-shapen forms, tremendous to the sight, 4:660 Th' implacable foul daughters of the night. 4:661 A sounding whip each bloody sister shakes, 4:662 Or from her tresses combs the curling snakes. 4:663 But now great Juno's majesty was known; 4:664 Thro' the thick gloom, all heav'nly bright, she shone: 4:665 The hideous monsters their obedience show'd, 4:666 And rising from their seats, submissive bow'd. 4:667 This is the place of woe, here groan the dead; 4:668 Huge Tityus o'er nine acres here is spread. 4:669 Fruitful for pain th' immortal liver breeds, 4:670 Still grows, and still th' insatiate vulture feeds. 4:671 Poor Tantalus to taste the water tries, 4:672 But from his lips the faithless water flies: 4:673 Then thinks the bending tree he can command, 4:674 The tree starts backwards, and eludes his hand. 4:675 The labour too of Sisyphus is vain, 4:676 Up the steep mount he heaves the stone with pain, 4:677 Down from the summet rouls the stone again. 4:678 The Belides their leaky vessels still 4:679 Are ever filling, and yet never fill: 4:680 Doom'd to this punishment for blood they shed, 4:681 For bridegrooms slaughter'd in the bridal bed. 4:682 Stretch'd on the rolling wheel Ixion lies; 4:683 Himself he follows, and himself he flies. 4:684 Ixion, tortur'd, Juno sternly ey'd, 4:685 Then turn'd, and toiling Sisyphus espy'd: 4:686 And why (she said) so wretched is the fate 4:687 Of him, whose brother proudly reigns in state? 4:688 Yet still my altars unador'd have been 4:689 By Athamas, and his presumptuous queen. 4:690 What caus'd her hate, the Goddess thus confest, 4:691 What caus'd her journey now was more than guest. 4:692 That hate, relentless, its revenge did want, 4:693 And that revenge the Furies soon could grant: 4:694 They could the glory of proud Thebes efface, 4:695 And hide in ruin the Cadmean race. 4:696 For this she largely promises, entreats, 4:697 And to intreaties adds imperial threats. 4:698 Then fell Tisiphone with rage was stung, 4:699 And from her mouth th' untwisted serpents flung. 4:700 To gain this trifling boon, there is no need 4:701 (She cry'd) in formal speeches to proceed. 4:702 Whatever thou command'st to do, is done; 4:703 Believe it finish'd, tho' not yet begun. 4:704 But from these melancholly seats repair 4:705 To happier mansions, and to purer air. 4:706 She spoke: the Goddess, darting upwards, flies, 4:707 And joyous re-ascends her native skies: 4:708 Nor enter'd there, till 'round her Iris threw 4:709 Ambrosial sweets, and pour'd celestial dew. 4:710 The faithful Fury, guiltless of delays, 4:711 With cruel haste the dire command obeys. 4:712 Girt in a bloody gown, a torch she shakes, 4:713 And round her neck twines speckled wreaths of snakes. 4:714 Fear, and dismay, and agonizing pain, 4:715 With frantick rage, compleat her loveless train. 4:716 To Thebes her flight she sped, and Hell forsook; 4:717 At her approach the Theban turrets shook: 4:718 The sun shrunk back, thick clouds the day o'er-cast, 4:719 And springing greens were wither'd as she past. 4:720 Now, dismal yellings heard, strange spectres seen, 4:721 Confound as much the monarch as the queen. 4:722 In vain to quit the palace they prepar'd, 4:723 Tisiphone was there, and kept the ward. 4:724 She wide extended her unfriendly arms, 4:725 And all the Fury lavish'd all her harms. 4:726 Part of her tresses loudly hiss, and part 4:727 Spread poyson, as their forky tongues they dart. 4:728 Then from her middle locks two snakes she drew, 4:729 Whose merit from superior mischief grew: 4:730 Th' envenom'd ruin, thrown with spiteful care, 4:731 Clung to the bosoms of the hapless pair. 4:732 The hapless pair soon with wild thoughts were fir'd, 4:733 And madness, by a thousand ways inspir'd. 4:734 'Tis true, th' unwounded body still was sound, 4:735 But 'twas the soul which felt the deadly wound. 4:736 Nor did th' unsated monster here give o'er, 4:737 But dealt of plagues a fresh, unnumber'd store. 4:738 Each baneful juice too well she understood, 4:739 Foam, churn'd by Cerberus, and Hydra's blood. 4:740 Hot hemlock, and cold aconite she chose, 4:741 Delighted in variety of woes. 4:742 Whatever can untune th' harmonious soul, 4:743 And its mild, reas'ning faculties controul, 4:744 Give false ideas, raise desires profane, 4:745 And whirl in eddies the tumultuous brain, 4:746 Mix'd with curs'd art, she direfully around 4:747 Thro' all their nerves diffus'd the sad compound. 4:748 Then toss'd her torch in circles still the same, 4:749 Improv'd their rage, and added flame to flame. 4:750 The grinning Fury her own conquest spy'd, 4:751 And to her rueful shades return'd with pride, 4:752 And threw th' exhausted, useless snakes aside. 4:753 Now Athamas cries out, his reason fled, 4:754 Here, fellow-hunters, let the toils be spread. 4:755 I saw a lioness, in quest of food, 4:756 With her two young, run roaring in this wood. 4:757 Again the fancy'd savages were seen, 4:758 As thro' his palace still he chac'd his queen; 4:759 Then tore Learchus from her breast: the child 4:760 Stretch'd little arms, and on its father smil'd: 4:761 A father now no more, who now begun 4:762 Around his head to whirl his giddy son, 4:763 And, quite insensible to Nature's call, 4:764 The helpless infant flung against the wall. 4:765 The same mad poyson in the mother wrought, 4:766 Young Melicerta in her arms she caught, 4:767 And with disorder'd tresses, howling, flies, 4:768 O! Bacchus, Evoe, Bacchus! loud she cries. 4:769 The name of Bacchus Juno laugh'd to hear, 4:770 And said, Thy foster-God has cost thee dear. 4:771 A rock there stood, whose side the beating waves 4:772 Had long consum'd, and hollow'd into caves. 4:773 The head shot forwards in a bending steep, 4:774 And cast a dreadful covert o'er the deep. 4:775 The wretched Ino, on destruction bent, 4:776 Climb'd up the cliff; such strength her fury lent: 4:777 Thence with her guiltless boy, who wept in vain, 4:778 At one bold spring she plung'd into the main. 4:779 Her neice's fate touch'd Cytherea's breast, 4:780 And in soft sounds she Neptune thus addrest: 4:781 Great God of waters, whose extended sway 4:782 Is next to his, whom Heav'n and Earth obey: 4:783 Let not the suit of Venus thee displease, 4:784 Pity the floaters on th' Ionian seas. 4:785 Encrease thy Subject-Gods, nor yet disdain 4:786 To add my kindred to that glorious train. 4:787 If from the sea I may such honours claim, 4:788 If 'tis desert, that from the sea I came, 4:789 As Grecian poets artfully have sung, 4:790 And in the name confest, from whence I sprung. 4:791 Pleas'd Neptune nodded his assent, and free 4:792 Both soon became from frail mortality. 4:793 He gave them form, and majesty divine, 4:794 And bad them glide along the foamy brine. 4:795 For Melicerta is Palaemon known, 4:796 And Ino once, Leucothoe is grown. The Transformation of the Theban Matrons 4:797 The Theban matrons their lov'd queen pursu'd, 4:798 And tracing to the rock, her footsteps view'd. 4:799 Too certain of her fate, they rend the skies 4:800 With piteous shrieks, and lamentable cries. 4:801 All beat their breasts, and Juno all upbraid, 4:802 Who still remember'd a deluded maid: 4:803 Who, still revengeful for one stol'n embrace, 4:804 Thus wreak'd her hate on the Cadmean race. 4:805 This Juno heard: And shall such elfs, she cry'd, 4:806 Dispute my justice, or my pow'r deride? 4:807 You too shall feel my wrath not idly spent; 4:808 A Goddess never for insults was meant. 4:809 She, who lov'd most, and who most lov'd had been, 4:810 Said, Not the waves shall part me from my queen. 4:811 She strove to plunge into the roaring flood; 4:812 Fix'd to the stone, a stone her self she stood. 4:813 This, on her breast would fain her blows repeat, 4:814 Her stiffen'd hands refus'd her breast to beat. 4:815 That, stretch'd her arms unto the seas; in vain 4:816 Her arms she labour'd to unstretch again. 4:817 To tear her comely locks another try'd, 4:818 Both comely locks, and fingers petryfi'd. 4:819 Part thus; but Juno with a softer mind 4:820 Part doom'd to mix among the feather'd kind. 4:821 Transform'd, the name of Theban birds they keep, 4:822 And skim the surface of that fatal deep. Cadmus and his Queen transform'd to Serpents 4:823 Mean-time, the wretched Cadmus mourns, nor knows, 4:824 That they who mortal fell, immortal rose. 4:825 With a long series of new ills opprest, 4:826 He droops, and all the man forsakes his breast. 4:827 Strange prodigies confound his frighted eyes; 4:828 From the fair city, which he rais'd, he flies: 4:829 As if misfortune not pursu'd his race, 4:830 But only hung o'er that devoted place. 4:831 Resolv'd by sea to seek some distant land, 4:832 At last he safely gain'd th' Illyrian strand. 4:833 Chearless himself, his consort still he chears, 4:834 Hoary, and loaden'd both with woes and years. 4:835 Then to recount past sorrows they begin, 4:836 And trace them to the gloomy origin. 4:837 That serpent sure was hallow'd, Cadmus cry'd, 4:838 Which once my spear transfix'd with foolish pride; 4:839 When the big teeth, a seed before unknown, 4:840 By me along the wond'ring glebe were sown, 4:841 And sprouting armies by themselves o'erthrown. 4:842 If thence the wrath of Heav'n on me is bent, 4:843 May Heav'n conclude it with one sad event; 4:844 To an extended serpent change the man: 4:845 And while he spoke, the wish'd-for change began. 4:846 His skin with sea-green spots was vary'd 'round, 4:847 And on his belly prone he prest the ground. 4:848 He glitter'd soon with many a golden scale, 4:849 And his shrunk legs clos'd in a spiry tail. 4:850 Arms yet remain'd, remaining arms he spread 4:851 To his lov'd wife, and human tears yet shed. 4:852 Come, my Harmonia, come, thy face recline 4:853 Down to my face; still touch, what still is mine. 4:854 O! let these hands, while hands, be gently prest, 4:855 While yet the serpent has not all possest. 4:856 More he had spoke, but strove to speak in vain, 4:857 The forky tongue refus'd to tell his pain, 4:858 And learn'd in hissings only to complain. 4:859 Then shriek'd Harmonia, Stay, my Cadmus, stay, 4:860 Glide not in such a monstrous shape away! 4:861 Destruction, like impetuous waves, rouls on. 4:862 Where are thy feet, thy legs, thy shoulders gone? 4:863 Chang'd is thy visage, chang'd is all thy frame; 4:864 Cadmus is only Cadmus now in name. 4:865 Ye Gods, my Cadmus to himself restore, 4:866 Or me like him transform; I ask no more. 4:867 The husband-serpent show'd he still had thought, 4:868 With wonted fondness an embrace he sought; 4:869 Play'd 'round her neck in many a harmless twist, 4:870 And lick'd that bosom, which, a man, he kist. 4:871 The lookers-on (for lookers-on there were) 4:872 Shock'd at the sight, half-dy'd away with fear. 4:873 The transformation was again renew'd, 4:874 And, like the husband, chang'd the wife they view'd. 4:875 Both, serpents now, with fold involv'd in fold, 4:876 To the next covert amicably roul'd. 4:877 There curl'd they lie, or wave along the green, 4:878 Fearless see men, by men are fearless seen, 4:879 Still mild, and conscious what they once have been. The Story of Perseus 4:880 Yet tho' this harsh, inglorious fate they found, 4:881 Each in the deathless grandson liv'd renown'd. 4:882 Thro' conquer'd India Bacchus nobly rode, 4:883 And Greece with temples hail'd the conqu'ring God. 4:884 In Argos only proud Acrisius reign'd, 4:885 Who all the consecrated rites profan'd. 4:886 Audacious wretch! thus Bacchus to deny, 4:887 And the great Thunderer's great son defie! 4:888 Nor him alone: thy daughter vainly strove, 4:889 Brave Perseus of celestial stem to prove, 4:890 And her self pregnant by a golden Jove. 4:891 Yet this was true, and truth in time prevails; 4:892 Acrisius now his unbelief bewails. 4:893 His former thought, an impious thought he found, 4:894 And both the heroe, and the God were own'd. 4:895 He saw, already one in Heav'n was plac'd, 4:896 And one with more than mortal triumphs grac'd, 4:897 The victor Perseus with the Gorgon-head, 4:898 O'er Libyan sands his airy journey sped. 4:899 The gory drops distill'd, as swift he flew, 4:900 And from each drop envenom'd serpents grew, 4:901 The mischiefs brooded on the barren plains, 4:902 And still th' unhappy fruitfulness remains. Atlas transform'd to a Mountain 4:903 Thence Perseus, like a cloud, by storms was driv'n, 4:904 Thro' all th' expanse beneath the cope of Heaven. 4:905 The jarring winds unable to controul, 4:906 He saw the southern, and the northern pole: 4:907 And eastward thrice, and westward thrice was whirl'd, 4:908 And from the skies survey'd the nether world. 4:909 But when grey ev'ning show'd the verge of night, 4:910 He fear'd in darkness to pursue his flight. 4:911 He pois'd his pinions, and forgot to soar, 4:912 And sinking, clos'd them on th' Hesperian shore: 4:913 Then beg'd to rest, 'till Lucifer begun 4:914 To wake the morn, the morn to wake the sun. 4:915 Here Atlas reign'd, of more than human size, 4:916 And in his kingdom the world's limit lies. 4:917 Here Titan bids his weary'd coursers sleep, 4:918 And cools the burning axle in the deep. 4:919 The mighty monarch, uncontrol'd, alone, 4:920 His sceptre sways: no neighb'ring states are known. 4:921 A thousand flocks on shady mountains fed, 4:922 A thousand herds o'er grassy plains were spread. 4:923 Here wond'rous trees their shining stores unfold, 4:924 Their shining stores too wond'rous to be told, 4:925 Their leafs, their branches, and their apples, gold. 4:926 Then Perseus the gigantick prince addrest, 4:927 Humbly implor'd a hospitable rest. 4:928 If bold exploits thy admiration fire, 4:929 He said, I fancy, mine thou wilt admire. 4:930 Or if the glory of a race can move, 4:931 Not mean my glory, for I spring from Jove. 4:932 At this confession Atlas ghastly star'd, 4:933 Mindful of what an oracle declar'd, 4:934 That the dark womb of Time conceal'd a day, 4:935 Which should, disclos'd, the bloomy gold betray: 4:936 All should at once be ravish'd from his eyes, 4:937 And Jove's own progeny enjoy the prize. 4:938 For this, the fruit he loftily immur'd, 4:939 And a fierce dragon the strait pass secur'd. 4:940 For this, all strangers he forbad to land, 4:941 And drove them from th' inhospitable strand. 4:942 To Perseus then: Fly quickly, fly this coast, 4:943 Nor falsly dare thy acts and race to boast. 4:944 In vain the heroe for one night entreats, 4:945 Threat'ning he storms, and next adds force to threats. 4:946 By strength not Perseus could himself defend, 4:947 For who in strength with Atlas could contend? 4:948 But since short rest to me thou wilt not give, 4:949 A gift of endless rest from me receive, 4:950 He said, and backward turn'd, no more conceal'd 4:951 The present, and Medusa's head reveal'd. 4:952 Soon the high Atlas a high mountain stood, 4:953 His locks, and beard became a leafy wood. 4:954 His hands, and shoulders, into ridges went, 4:955 The summit-head still crown'd the steep ascent. 4:956 His bones a solid, rocky hardness gain'd: 4:957 He, thus immensely grown (as fate ordain'd), 4:958 The stars, the Heav'ns, and all the Gods sustain'd. Andromeda rescu'd from the Sea Monster 4:959 Now Aeolus had with strong chains confin'd, 4:960 And deep imprison'd e'vry blust'ring wind, 4:961 The rising Phospher with a purple light 4:962 Did sluggish mortals to new toils invite. 4:963 His feet again the valiant Perseus plumes, 4:964 And his keen sabre in his hand resumes: 4:965 Then nobly spurns the ground, and upwards springs, 4:966 And cuts the liquid air with sounding wings. 4:967 O'er various seas, and various lands he past, 4:968 'Till Aethiopia's shore appear'd at last. 4:969 Andromeda was there, doom'd to attone 4:970 By her own ruin follies not her own: 4:971 And if injustice in a God can be, 4:972 Such was the Libyan God's unjust decree. 4:973 Chain'd to a rock she stood; young Perseus stay'd 4:974 His rapid flight, to view the beauteous maid. 4:975 So sweet her frame, so exquisitely fine, 4:976 She seem'd a statue by a hand divine, 4:977 Had not the wind her waving tresses show'd, 4:978 And down her cheeks the melting sorrows flow'd. 4:979 Her faultless form the heroe's bosom fires; 4:980 The more he looks, the more he still admires. 4:981 Th' admirer almost had forgot to fly, 4:982 And swift descended, flutt'ring from on high. 4:983 O! Virgin, worthy no such chains to prove, 4:984 But pleasing chains in the soft folds of love; 4:985 Thy country, and thy name (he said) disclose, 4:986 And give a true rehearsal of thy woes. 4:987 A quick reply her bashfulness refus'd, 4:988 To the free converse of a man unus'd. 4:989 Her rising blushes had concealment found 4:990 From her spread hands, but that her hands were bound. 4:991 She acted to her full extent of pow'r, 4:992 And bath'd her face with a fresh, silent show'r. 4:993 But by degrees in innocence grown bold, 4:994 Her name, her country, and her birth she told: 4:995 And how she suffer'd for her mother's pride, 4:996 Who with the Nereids once in beauty vy'd. 4:997 Part yet untold, the seas began to roar, 4:998 And mounting billows tumbled to the shore. 4:999 Above the waves a monster rais'd his head, 4:1000 His body o'er the deep was widely spread: 4:1001 Onward he flounc'd; aloud the virgin cries; 4:1002 Each parent to her shrieks in shrieks replies: 4:1003 But she had deepest cause to rend the skies. 4:1004 Weeping, to her they cling; no sign appears 4:1005 Of help, they only lend their helpless tears. 4:1006 Too long you vent your sorrows, Perseus said, 4:1007 Short is the hour, and swift the time of aid, 4:1008 In me the son of thund'ring Jove behold, 4:1009 Got in a kindly show'r of fruitful gold. 4:1010 Medusa's snaky head is now my prey, 4:1011 And thro' the clouds I boldly wing my way. 4:1012 If such desert be worthy of esteem, 4:1013 And, if your daughter I from death redeem, 4:1014 Shall she be mine? Shall it not then be thought, 4:1015 A bride, so lovely, was too cheaply bought? 4:1016 For her my arms I willingly employ, 4:1017 If I may beauties, which I save, enjoy. 4:1018 The parents eagerly the terms embrace: 4:1019 For who would slight such terms in such a case? 4:1020 Nor her alone they promise, but beside, 4:1021 The dowry of a kingdom with the bride. 4:1022 As well-rigg'd gallies, which slaves, sweating, row, 4:1023 With their sharp beaks the whiten'd ocean plough; 4:1024 So when the monster mov'd, still at his back 4:1025 The furrow'd waters left a foamy track. 4:1026 Now to the rock he was advanc'd so nigh, 4:1027 Whirl'd from a sling a stone the space would fly. 4:1028 Then bounding, upwards the brave Perseus sprung, 4:1029 And in mid air on hov'ring pinions hung. 4:1030 His shadow quickly floated on the main; 4:1031 The monster could not his wild rage restrain, 4:1032 But at the floating shadow leap'd in vain. 4:1033 As when Jove's bird, a speckl'd serpent spies, 4:1034 Which in the shine of Phoebus basking lies, 4:1035 Unseen, he souses down, and bears away, 4:1036 Truss'd from behind, the vainly-hissing prey. 4:1037 To writh his neck the labour nought avails, 4:1038 Too deep th' imperial talons pierce his scales. 4:1039 Thus the wing'd heroe now descends, now soars, 4:1040 And at his pleasure the vast monster gores. 4:1041 Full in his back, swift stooping from above, 4:1042 The crooked sabre to its hilt he drove. 4:1043 The monster rag'd, impatient of the pain, 4:1044 First bounded high, and then sunk low again. 4:1045 Now, like a savage boar, when chaf'd with wounds, 4:1046 And bay'd with opening mouths of hungry hounds, 4:1047 He on the foe turns with collected might, 4:1048 Who still eludes him with an airy flight; 4:1049 And wheeling round, the scaly armour tries 4:1050 Of his thick sides; his thinner tall now plies: 4:1051 'Till from repeated strokes out gush'd a flood, 4:1052 And the waves redden'd with the streaming blood. 4:1053 At last the dropping wings, befoam'd all o'er, 4:1054 With flaggy heaviness their master bore: 4:1055 A rock he spy'd, whose humble head was low, 4:1056 Bare at an ebb, but cover'd at a flow. 4:1057 A ridgy hold, he, thither flying, gain'd, 4:1058 And with one hand his bending weight sustain'd; 4:1059 With th' other, vig'rous blows he dealt around, 4:1060 And the home-thrusts the expiring monster own'd. 4:1061 In deaf'ning shouts the glad applauses rise, 4:1062 And peal on peal runs ratling thro' the skies. 4:1063 The saviour-youth the royal pair confess, 4:1064 And with heav'd hands their daughter's bridegroom bless. 4:1065 The beauteous bride moves on, now loos'd from chains, 4:1066 The cause, and sweet reward of all the heroe's pains, 4:1067 Mean-time, on shore triumphant Perseus stood, 4:1068 And purg'd his hands, smear'd with the monster's blood: 4:1069 Then in the windings of a sandy bed 4:1070 Compos'd Medusa's execrable head. 4:1071 But to prevent the roughness, leafs he threw, 4:1072 And young, green twigs, which soft in waters grew, 4:1073 There soft, and full of sap; but here, when lay'd, 4:1074 Touch'd by the head, that softness soon decay'd. 4:1075 The wonted flexibility quite gone, 4:1076 The tender scyons harden'd into stone. 4:1077 Fresh, juicy twigs, surpriz'd, the Nereids brought, 4:1078 Fresh, juicy twigs the same contagion caught. 4:1079 The nymphs the petrifying seeds still keep, 4:1080 And propagate the wonder thro' the deep. 4:1081 The pliant sprays of coral yet declare 4:1082 Their stiff'ning Nature, when expos'd to air. 4:1083 Those sprays, which did, like bending osiers, move, 4:1084 Snatch'd from their element, obdurate prove, 4:1085 And shrubs beneath the waves, grow stones above. 4:1086 The great immortals grateful Perseus prais'd, 4:1087 And to three Pow'rs three turfy altars rais'd. 4:1088 To Hermes this; and that he did assign 4:1089 To Pallas: the mid honours, Jove, were thine, 4:1090 He hastes for Pallas a white cow to cull, 4:1091 A calf for Hermes, but for Jove a bull. 4:1092 Then seiz'd the prize of his victorious fight, 4:1093 Andromeda, and claim'd the nuptial rite. 4:1094 Andromeda alone he greatly sought, 4:1095 The dowry kingdom was not worth his thought. 4:1096 Pleas'd Hymen now his golden torch displays; 4:1097 With rich oblations fragrant altars blaze, 4:1098 Sweet wreaths of choicest flow'rs are hung on high, 4:1099 And cloudless pleasure smiles in ev'ry eye. 4:1100 The melting musick melting thoughts inspires, 4:1101 And warbling songsters aid the warbling lyres. 4:1102 The palace opens wide in pompous state, 4:1103 And by his peers surrounded, Cepheus sate. 4:1104 A feast was serv'd, fit for a king to give, 4:1105 And fit for God-like heroes to receive. 4:1106 The banquet ended, the gay, chearful bowl 4:1107 Mov'd round, and brighten'd, and enlarg'd each soul. 4:1108 Then Perseus ask'd, what customs there obtain'd, 4:1109 And by what laws the people were restrain'd. 4:1110 Which told; the teller a like freedom takes, 4:1111 And to the warrior his petition makes, 4:1112 To know, what arts had won Medusa's snakes. The Story of Medusa's Head 4:1113 The heroe with his just request complies, 4:1114 Shows, how a vale beneath cold Atlas lies, 4:1115 Where, with aspiring mountains fenc'd around, 4:1116 He the two daughters of old Phorcus found. 4:1117 Fate had one common eye to both assign'd, 4:1118 Each saw by turns, and each by turns was blind. 4:1119 But while one strove to lend her sister sight, 4:1120 He stretch'd his hand, and stole their mutual light, 4:1121 And left both eyeless, both involv'd in night. 4:1122 Thro' devious wilds, and trackless woods he past, 4:1123 And at the Gorgon-seats arriv'd at last: 4:1124 But as he journey'd, pensive he survey'd, 4:1125 What wasteful havock dire Medusa made. 4:1126 Here, stood still breathing statues, men before; 4:1127 There, rampant lions seem'd in stone to roar. 4:1128 Nor did he, yet affrighted, quit the field, 4:1129 But in the mirror of his polish'd shield 4:1130 Reflected saw Medusa slumbers take, 4:1131 And not one serpent by good chance awake. 4:1132 Then backward an unerring blow he sped, 4:1133 And from her body lop'd at once her head. 4:1134 The gore prolifick prov'd; with sudden force 4:1135 Sprung Pegasus, and wing'd his airy course. 4:1136 The Heav'n-born warrior faithfully went on, 4:1137 And told the num'rous dangers which he run. 4:1138 What subject seas, what lands he had in view, 4:1139 And nigh what stars th' advent'rous heroe flew. 4:1140 At last he silent sate; the list'ning throng 4:1141 Sigh'd at the pause of his delightful tongue. 4:1142 Some beg'd to know, why this alone should wear, 4:1143 Of all the sisters, such destructive hair. 4:1144 Great Perseus then: With me you shall prevail, 4:1145 Worth the relation, to relate a tale. 4:1146 Medusa once had charms; to gain her love 4:1147 A rival crowd of envious lovers strove. 4:1148 They, who have seen her, own, they ne'er did trace 4:1149 More moving features in a sweeter face. 4:1150 Yet above all, her length of hair, they own, 4:1151 In golden ringlets wav'd, and graceful shone. 4:1152 Her Neptune saw, and with such beauties fir'd, 4:1153 Resolv'd to compass, what his soul desir'd. 4:1154 In chaste Minerva's fane, he, lustful, stay'd, 4:1155 And seiz'd, and rifled the young, blushing maid. 4:1156 The bashful Goddess turn'd her eyes away, 4:1157 Nor durst such bold impurity survey; 4:1158 But on the ravish'd virgin vengeance takes, 4:1159 Her shining hair is chang'd to hissing snakes. 4:1160 These in her Aegis Pallas joys to bear, 4:1161 The hissing snakes her foes more sure ensnare, 4:1162 Than they did lovers once, when shining hair. BOOK THE FIFTH The Story of Perseus continu'd 5:1 While Perseus entertain'd with this report 5:2 His father Cepheus, and the list'ning court, 5:3 Within the palace walls was heard aloud 5:4 The roaring noise of some unruly crowd; 5:5 Not like the songs which chearful friends prepare 5:6 For nuptial days, but sounds that threaten'd war; 5:7 And all the pleasures of this happy feast, 5:8 To tumult turn'd, in wild disorder ceas'd: 5:9 So, when the sea is calm, we often find 5:10 A storm rais'd sudden by some furious wind. 5:11 Chief in the riot Phineus first appear'd, 5:12 The rash ringleader of this boist'rous herd, 5:13 And brandishing his brazen-pointed lance, 5:14 Behold, he said, an injur'd man advance, 5:15 Stung with resentment for his ravish'd wife, 5:16 Nor shall thy wings, o Perseus, save thy life; 5:17 Nor Jove himself; tho' we've been often told 5:18 Who got thee in the form of tempting gold. 5:19 His lance was aim'd, when Cepheus ran, and said, 5:20 Hold, brother, hold; what brutal rage has made 5:21 Your frantick mind so black a crime conceive? 5:22 Are these the thanks that you to Perseus give? 5:23 This the reward that to his worth you pay, 5:24 Whose timely valour sav'd Andromeda? 5:25 Nor was it he, if you would reason right, 5:26 That forc'd her from you, but the jealous spight 5:27 Of envious Nereids, and Jove's high decree; 5:28 And that devouring monster of the sea, 5:29 That ready with his jaws wide gaping stood 5:30 To eat my child, the fairest of my blood. 5:31 You lost her then, when she seem'd past relief, 5:32 And wish'd perhaps her death, to ease your grief 5:33 With my afflictions: not content to view 5:34 Andromeda in chains, unhelp'd by you, 5:35 Her spouse, and uncle; will you grieve that he 5:36 Expos'd his life the dying maid to free? 5:37 And shall you claim his merit? Had you thought 5:38 Her charms so great, you shou'd have bravely sought 5:39 That blessing on the rocks, where fix'd she lay: 5:40 But now let Perseus bear his prize away, 5:41 By service gain'd, by promis'd faith possess'd; 5:42 To him I owe it, that my age is bless'd 5:43 Still with a child: Nor think that I prefer 5:44 Perseus to thee, but to the loss of her. 5:45 Phineus on him, and Perseus, roul'd about 5:46 His eyes in silent rage, and seem'd to doubt 5:47 Which to destroy; 'till, resolute at length, 5:48 He threw his spear with the redoubled strength 5:49 His fury gave him, and at Perseus struck; 5:50 But missing Perseus, in his seat it stuck. 5:51 Who, springing nimbly up, return'd the dart, 5:52 And almost plung'd it in his rival's heart; 5:53 But he for safety to the altar ran, 5:54 Unfit protection for so vile a man; 5:55 Yet was the stroke not vain, as Rhaetus found, 5:56 Who in his brow receiv'd a mortal wound; 5:57 Headlong he tumbled, when his skull was broke, 5:58 From which his friends the fatal weapon took, 5:59 While he lay trembling, and his gushing blood 5:60 In crimson streams around the table flow'd. 5:61 But this provok'd th' unruly rabble worse, 5:62 They flung their darts, and some in loud discourse 5:63 To death young Perseus, and the monarch doom; 5:64 But Cepheus left before the guilty room, 5:65 With grief appealing to the Gods above, 5:66 Who laws of hospitality approve, 5:67 Who faith protect, and succour injur'd right, 5:68 That he was guiltless of this barb'rous fight. 5:69 Pallas her brother Perseus close attends, 5:70 And with her ample shield from harm defends, 5:71 Raising a sprightly courage in his heart: 5:72 But Indian Athis took the weaker part, 5:73 Born in the chrystal grottoes of the sea, 5:74 Limnate's son, a fenny nymph, and she 5:75 Daughter of Ganges; graceful was his mein, 5:76 His person lovely, and his age sixteen. 5:77 His habit made his native beauty more; 5:78 A purple mantle fring'd with gold he wore; 5:79 His neck well-turn'd with golden chains was grac'd, 5:80 His hair with myrrh perfum'd, was nicely dress'd. 5:81 Tho' with just aim he cou'd the javelin throw, 5:82 Yet with more skill he drew the bending bow; 5:83 And now was drawing it with artful hand, 5:84 When Perseus snatching up a flaming brand, 5:85 Whirl'd sudden at his face the burning wood, 5:86 Crush'd his eyes in, and quench'd the fire with blood; 5:87 Thro' the soft skin the splinter'd bones appear, 5:88 And spoil'd the face that lately was so fair. 5:89 When Lycabas his Athis thus beheld, 5:90 How was his heart with friendly horror fill'd! 5:91 A youth so noble, to his soul so dear, 5:92 To see his shapeless look, his dying groans to hear! 5:93 He snatch'd the bow the boy was us'd to bend, 5:94 And cry'd, With me, false traytor, dare contend; 5:95 Boast not a conquest o'er a child, but try 5:96 Thy strength with me, who all thy pow'rs defy; 5:97 Nor think so mean an act a victory. 5:98 While yet he spoke he flung the whizzing dart, 5:99 Which pierc'd the plaited robe, but miss'd his heart: 5:100 Perseus defy'd, upon him fiercely press'd 5:101 With sword, unsheath'd, and plung'd it in his breast; 5:102 His eyes o'erwhelm'd with night, he stumbling falls, 5:103 And with his latest breath on Athis calls; 5:104 Pleas'd that so near the lovely youth he lies, 5:105 He sinks his head upon his friend, and dies. 5:106 Next eager Phorbas, old Methion's son, 5:107 Came rushing forward with Amphimedon; 5:108 When the smooth pavement, slippery made with gore, 5:109 Trip'd up their feet, and flung 'em on the floor; 5:110 The sword of Perseus, who by chance was nigh, 5:111 Prevents their rise, and where they fall, they lye: 5:112 Full in his ribs Amphimedon he smote, 5:113 And then stuck fiery Phorbas in the throat. 5:114 Eurythus lifting up his ax, the blow 5:115 Was thus prevented by his nimble foe; 5:116 A golden cup he seizes, high embost, 5:117 And at his head the massy goblet tost: 5:118 It hits, and from his forehead bruis'd rebounds, 5:119 And blood, and brains he vomits from his wounds; 5:120 With his slain fellows on the floor he lies, 5:121 And death for ever shuts his swimming eyes. 5:122 Then Polydaemon fell, a Goddess-born; 5:123 Phlegias, and Elycen with locks unshorn 5:124 Next follow'd; next, the stroke of death he gave 5:125 To Clytus, Abanis, and Lycetus brave; 5:126 While o'er unnumber'd heaps of ghastly dead, 5:127 The Argive heroe's feet triumphant tread. 5:128 But Phineus stands aloof, and dreads to feel 5:129 His rival's force, and flies his pointed steel: 5:130 Yet threw a dart from far; by chance it lights 5:131 On Idas, who for neither party fights; 5:132 But wounded, sternly thus to Phineus said, 5:133 Since of a neuter thou a foe hast made, 5:134 This I return thee, drawing from his side 5:135 The dart; which, as he strove to fling, he dy'd. 5:136 Odites fell by Clymenus's sword, 5:137 The Cephen court had not a greater lord. 5:138 Hypseus his blade does in Protenor sheath, 5:139 But brave Lyncides soon reveng'd his death. 5:140 Here too was old Emathion, one that fear'd 5:141 The Gods, and in the cause of Heav'n appear'd, 5:142 Who only wishing the success of right, 5:143 And, by his age, exempted from the fight, 5:144 Both sides alike condemns: This impious war 5:145 Cease, cease, he cries; these bloody broils forbear. 5:146 This scarce the sage with high concern had said, 5:147 When Chromis at a blow struck off his head, 5:148 Which dropping, on the royal altar roul'd, 5:149 Still staring on the crowd with aspect bold; 5:150 And still it seem'd their horrid strife to blame, 5:151 In life and death, his pious zeal the same; 5:152 While clinging to the horns, the trunk expires, 5:153 The sever'd head consumes amidst the fires. 5:154 Then Phineus, who from far his javelin threw, 5:155 Broteas and Ammon, twins and brothers, slew; 5:156 For knotted gauntlets matchless in the field; 5:157 But gauntlets must to swords and javelins yield. 5:158 Ampycus next, with hallow'd fillets bound, 5:159 As Ceres' priest, and with a mitre crown'd, 5:160 His spear transfix'd, and struck him to the ground. 5:161 O Iapetides, with pain I tell 5:162 How you, sweet lyrist, in the riot fell; 5:163 What worse than brutal rage his breast could fill, 5:164 Who did thy blood, o bard celestial! spill? 5:165 Kindly you press'd amid the princely throng, 5:166 To crown the feast, and give the nuptial song: 5:167 Discord abhorr'd the musick of thy lyre, 5:168 Whose notes did gentle peace so well inspire; 5:169 Thee, when fierce Pettalus far off espy'd, 5:170 Defenceless with thy harp, he scoffing cry'd, 5:171 Go; to the ghosts thy soothing lessons play; 5:172 We loath thy lyre, and scorn thy peaceful lay: 5:173 And, as again he fiercely bid him go, 5:174 He pierc'd his temples with a mortal blow. 5:175 His harp he held, tho' sinking on the ground, 5:176 Whose strings in death his trembling fingers found 5:177 By chance, and tun'd by chance a dying sound. 5:178 With grief Lycormas saw him fall, from far, 5:179 And, wresting from the door a massy bar, 5:180 Full in his poll lays on a load of knocks, 5:181 Which stun him, and he falls like a devoted ox. 5:182 Another bar Pelates would have snach'd, 5:183 But Corynthus his motions slily watch'd; 5:184 He darts his weapon from a private stand, 5:185 And rivets to the post his veiny hand: 5:186 When strait a missive spear transfix'd his side, 5:187 By Abas thrown, and as he hung, he dy'd. 5:188 Melaneus on the prince's side was slain; 5:189 And Dorylas, who own'd a fertile plain, 5:190 Of Nasamonia's fields the wealthy lord, 5:191 Whose crowded barns, could scarce contain their board. 5:192 A whizzing spear obliquely gave a blow, 5:193 Stuck in his groin, and pierc'd the nerves below; 5:194 His foe behld his eyes convulsive roul, 5:195 His ebbing veins, and his departing soul; 5:196 Then taunting said, Of all thy spacious plain, 5:197 This spot thy only property remains. 5:198 He left him thus; but had no sooner left, 5:199 Than Perseus in revenge his nostrils cleft; 5:200 From his friend's breast the murd'ring dart he drew, 5:201 And the same weapon at the murderer threw; 5:202 His head in halves the darted javelin cut, 5:203 And on each side the brain came issuing out. 5:204 Fortune his friend, in deaths around he deals, 5:205 And this his lance, and that his faulchion feels: 5:206 Now Clytius dies; and by a diff'rent wound, 5:207 The twin, his brother Clanis, bites the ground. 5:208 In his rent jaw the bearded weapon sticks, 5:209 And the steel'd dart does Clytius' thigh transfix. 5:210 With these Mendesian Celadon he slew: 5:211 And Astreus next, whose mother was a Jew, 5:212 His sire uncertain: then by Perseus fell 5:213 Aethion, who cou'd things to come foretell; 5:214 But now he knows not whence the javelin flies 5:215 That wounds his breast, nor by whose arm he dies. 5:216 The squire to Phineus next his valour try'd, 5:217 And fierce Agyrtes stain'd with paricide. 5:218 As these are slain, fresh numbers still appear, 5:219 And wage with Perseus an unequal war; 5:220 To rob him of his right, the maid he won, 5:221 By honour, promise, and desert his own. 5:222 With him, the father of the beauteous bride, 5:223 The mother, and the frighted virgin side; 5:224 With shrieks, and doleful cries they rend the air: 5:225 Their shrieks confounded with the din of war, 5:226 With dashing arms, and groanings of the slain, 5:227 They grieve unpitied, and unheard complain. 5:228 The floor with ruddy streams Bellona stains, 5:229 And Phineus a new war with double rage maintains. 5:230 Perseus begirt, from all around they pour 5:231 Their lances on him, a tempestuous show'r, 5:232 Aim'd all at him; a cloud of darts, and spears, 5:233 Or blind his eyes, or whistle round his ears. 5:234 Their numbers to resist, against the wall 5:235 He guards his back secure, and dares them all. 5:236 Here from the left Molpeus renews the fight, 5:237 And bold Ethemon presses on the right: 5:238 As when a hungry tyger near him hears 5:239 Two lowing herds, a-while he both forbears; 5:240 Nor can his hopes of this, or that renounce, 5:241 So strong he lusts to prey on both at once; 5:242 Thus Perseus now with that, or this is loth 5:243 To war distinct:, but fain would fall on both. 5:244 And first Chaonian Molpeus felt his blow, 5:245 And fled, and never after fac'd his foe; 5:246 Then fierce Ethemon, as he turn'd his back, 5:247 Hurried with fury, aiming at his neck, 5:248 His brandish'd sword against the marble struck 5:249 With all his might; the brittle weapon broke, 5:250 And in his throat the point rebounding stuck. 5:251 Too slight the wound for life to issue thence, 5:252 And yet too great for battel, or defence; 5:253 His arms extended in this piteous state, 5:254 For mercy he wou'd sue, but sues too late; 5:255 Perseus has in his bosom plung'd the sword, 5:256 And, ere he speaks, the wound prevents the word. 5:257 The crowds encreasing, and his friends distress'd, 5:258 Himself by warring multitudes oppress'd: 5:259 Since thus unequally you fight, 'tis time, 5:260 He cry'd, to punish your presumptuous crime; 5:261 Beware, my friends; his friends were soon prepar'd, 5:262 Their sight averting, high the head he rear'd, 5:263 And Gorgon on his foes severely star'd. 5:264 Vain shift! says Thescelus, with aspect bold, 5:265 Thee, and thy bugbear monster, I behold 5:266 With scorn; he lifts his arm, but ere he threw 5:267 The dart, the heroe to a statue grew. 5:268 In the same posture still the marble stands, 5:269 And holds the warrior's weapons in its hands. 5:270 Amphyx, whom yet this wonder can't alarm, 5:271 Heaves at Lyncides' breast his impious arm; 5:272 But, while thus daringly he presses on, 5:273 His weapon and his arm are turn'd to stone. 5:274 Next Nileus, he who vainly said he ow'd 5:275 His origin to Nile's prolifick flood; 5:276 Who on his shield seven silver rivers bore, 5:277 His birth to witness by the arms he wore; 5:278 Full of his sev'n-fold father, thus express'd 5:279 His boast to Perseus, and his pride confess'd: 5:280 See whence we sprung; let this thy comfort be 5:281 In thy sure death, that thou didst die by me. 5:282 While yet he spoke, the dying accents hung 5:283 In sounds imperfect on his marble tongue; 5:284 Tho' chang'd to stone, his lips he seem'd to stretch, 5:285 And thro' th' insensate rock wou'd force a speech. 5:286 This Eryx saw, but seeing wou'd not own; 5:287 The mischief by your selves, he cries, is done, 5:288 'Tis your cold courage turns your hearts to stone. 5:289 Come, follow me; fall on the stripling boy, 5:290 Kill him, and you his magick arms destroy. 5:291 Then rushing on, his arm to strike he rear'd, 5:292 And marbled o'er his varied frame appear'd. 5:293 These for affronting Pallas were chastis'd, 5:294 And justly met the death they had despis'd. 5:295 But brave Aconteus, Perseus' friend, by chance 5:296 Look'd back, and met the Gorgon's fatal glance: 5:297 A statue now become, he ghastly stares, 5:298 And still the foe to mortal combat dares. 5:299 Astyages the living likeness knew, 5:300 On the dead stone with vengeful fury flew; 5:301 But impotent his rage, the jarring blade 5:302 No print upon the solid marble made: 5:303 Again, as with redoubled might he struck, 5:304 Himself astonish'd in the quarry stuck. 5:305 The vulgar deaths 'twere tedious to rehearse, 5:306 And fates below the dignity of verse; 5:307 Their safety in their flight two hundred found, 5:308 Two hundred, by Medusa's head were ston'd. 5:309 Fierce Phineus now repents the wrongful fight, 5:310 And views his varied friends, a dreadful sight; 5:311 He knows their faces, for their help he sues, 5:312 And thinks, not hearing him, that they refuse: 5:313 By name he begs their succour, one by one, 5:314 Then doubts their life, and feels the friendly stone. 5:315 Struck with remorse, and conscious of his pride, 5:316 Convict of sin, he turn'd his eyes aside; 5:317 With suppliant mein to Perseus thus he prays, 5:318 Hence with the head, as far as winds and seas 5:319 Can bear thee; hence, o quit the Cephen shore, 5:320 And never curse us with Medusa more, 5:321 That horrid head, which stiffens into stone 5:322 Those impious men who, daring death, look on. 5:323 I warr'd not with thee out of hate or strife, 5:324 My honest cause was to defend my wife, 5:325 First pledg'd to me; what crime cou'd I suppose, 5:326 To arm my friends, and vindicate my spouse? 5:327 But vain, too late I see, was our design; 5:328 Mine was the title, but the merit thine. 5:329 Contending made me guilty, I confess; 5:330 But penitence shou'd make that guilt the less: 5:331 'Twas thine to conquer by Minerva's pow'r; 5:332 Favour'd of Heav'n, thy mercy I implore; 5:333 For life I sue; the rest to thee I yield; 5:334 In pity, from my sight remove the shield. 5:335 He suing said; nor durst revert his eyes 5:336 On the grim head: and Perseus thus replies: 5:337 Coward, what is in me to grant, I will, 5:338 Nor blood, unworthy of my valour spill: 5:339 Fear not to perish by my vengeful sword, 5:340 From that secure; 'tis all the Fates afford. 5:341 Where I now see thee, thou shalt still be seen, 5:342 A lasting monument to please our queen; 5:343 There still shall thy betroth'd behold her spouse, 5:344 And find his image in her father's house. 5:345 This said; where Phineus turn'd to shun the shield 5:346 Full in his face the staring head he held; 5:347 As here and there he strove to turn aside, 5:348 The wonder wrought, the man was petrify'd: 5:349 All marble was his frame, his humid eyes 5:350 Drop'd tears, which hung upon the stone like ice. 5:351 In suppliant posture, with uplifted hands, 5:352 And fearful look, the guilty statue stands. 5:353 Hence Perseus to his native city hies, 5:354 Victorious, and rewarded with his prize. 5:355 Conquest, o'er Praetus the usurper, won, 5:356 He re-instates his grandsire in the throne. 5:357 Praetus, his brother dispossess'd by might, 5:358 His realm enjoy'd, and still detain'd his right: 5:359 But Perseus pull'd the haughty tyrant down, 5:360 And to the rightful king restor'd the throne. 5:361 Weak was th' usurper, as his cause was wrong; 5:362 Where Gorgon's head appears, what arms are strong? 5:363 When Perseus to his host the monster held, 5:364 They soon were statues, and their king expell'd. 5:365 Thence, to Seriphus with the head he sails, 5:366 Whose prince his story treats as idle tales: 5:367 Lord of a little isle, he scorns to seem 5:368 Too credulous, but laughs at that, and him. 5:369 Yet did he not so much suspect the truth, 5:370 As out of pride, or envy, hate the youth. 5:371 The Argive prince, at his contempt enrag'd, 5:372 To force his faith by fatal proof engag'd. 5:373 Friends, shut your eyes, he cries; his shield he takes, 5:374 And to the king expos'd Medusa's snakes. 5:375 The monarch felt the pow'r he wou'd not own, 5:376 And stood convict of folly in the stone. Minerva's Interview with the Muses 5:377 Thus far Minerva was content to rove 5:378 With Perseus, offspring of her father Jove: 5:379 Now, hid in clouds, Seriphus she forsook; 5:380 And to the Theban tow'rs her journey took. 5:381 Cythnos and Gyaros lying to the right, 5:382 She pass'd unheeded in her eager flight; 5:383 And chusing first on Helicon to rest, 5:384 The virgin Muses in these words address'd: 5:385 Me, the strange tidings of a new-found spring, 5:386 Ye learned sisters, to this mountain bring. 5:387 If all be true that Fame's wide rumours tell, 5:388 'Twas Pegasus discover'd first your well; 5:389 Whose piercing hoof gave the soft earth a blow, 5:390 Which broke the surface where these waters flow. 5:391 I saw that horse by miracle obtain 5:392 Life, from the blood of dire Medusa slain; 5:393 And now, this equal prodigy to view, 5:394 From distant isles to fam'd Boeotia flew. 5:395 The Muse Urania said, Whatever cause 5:396 So great a Goddess to this mansion draws; 5:397 Our shades are happy with so bright a guest, 5:398 You, Queen, are welcome, and we Muses blest. 5:399 What Fame has publish'd of our spring is true, 5:400 Thanks for our spring to Pegasus are due. 5:401 Then, with becoming courtesy, she led 5:402 The curious stranger to their fountain's head; 5:403 Who long survey'd, with wonder, and delight, 5:404 Their sacred water, charming to the sight; 5:405 Their ancient groves, dark grottos, shady bow'rs, 5:406 And smiling plains adorn'd with various flow'rs. 5:407 O happy Muses! she with rapture cry'd, 5:408 Who, safe from cares, on this fair hill reside; 5:409 Blest in your seat, and free your selves to please 5:410 With joys of study, and with glorious ease. The Fate of Pyreneus 5:411 Then one replies: O Goddess, fit to guide 5:412 Our humble works, and in our choir preside, 5:413 Who sure wou'd wisely to these fields repair, 5:414 To taste our pleasures, and our labours share, 5:415 Were not your virtue, and superior mind 5:416 To higher arts, and nobler deeds inclin'd; 5:417 Justly you praise our works, and pleasing seat, 5:418 Which all might envy in this soft retreat, 5:419 Were we secur'd from dangers, and from harms; 5:420 But maids are frighten'd with the least alarms, 5:421 And none are safe in this licentious time; 5:422 Still fierce Pyreneus, and his daring crime, 5:423 With lasting horror strikes my feeble sight, 5:424 Nor is my mind recover'd from the fright. 5:425 With Thracian arms this bold usurper gain'd 5:426 Daulis, and Phocis, where he proudly reign'd: 5:427 It happen'd once, as thro' his lands we went, 5:428 For the bright temple of Parnassus bent, 5:429 He met us there, and in his artful mind 5:430 Hiding the faithless action he design'd, 5:431 Confer'd on us (whom, oh! too well he knew) 5:432 All honours that to Goddesses are due. 5:433 Stop, stop, ye Muses, 'tis your friend who calls, 5:434 The tyrant said; behold the rain that falls 5:435 On ev'ry side, and that ill-boding sky, 5:436 Whose lowring face portends more storms are nigh. 5:437 Pray make my house your own, and void of fear, 5:438 While this bad weather lasts, take shelter here. 5:439 Gods have made meaner places their resort, 5:440 And, for a cottage, left their shining court. 5:441 Oblig'd to stop, by the united force 5:442 Of pouring rains, and complaisant discourse, 5:443 His courteous invitation we obey, 5:444 And in his hall resolve a-while to stay. 5:445 Soon it clear'd up; the clouds began to fly, 5:446 The driving north refin'd the show'ry sky; 5:447 Then to pursue our journey we began: 5:448 But the false traitor to his portal ran, 5:449 Stopt our escape, the door securely barr'd, 5:450 And to our honour, violence prepar'd. 5:451 But we, transform'd to birds, avoid his snare, 5:452 On pinions rising in the yielding air. 5:453 But he, by lust and indignation fir'd, 5:454 Up to his highest tow'r with speed retir'd, 5:455 And cries, In vain you from my arms withdrew, 5:456 The way you go your lover will pursue. 5:457 Then, in a flying posture wildly plac'd, 5:458 And daring from that height himself to cast, 5:459 The wretch fell headlong, and the ground bestrew'd 5:460 With broken bones, and stains of guilty blood. The Story of the Pierides 5:461 The Muse yet spoke; when they began to hear 5:462 A noise of wings that flutter'd in the air; 5:463 And strait a voice, from some high-spreading bough, 5:464 Seem'd to salute the company below. 5:465 The Goddess wonder'd, and inquir'd from whence 5:466 That tongue was heard, that spoke so plainly sense 5:467 (It seem'd to her a human voice to be, 5:468 But prov'd a bird's; for in a shady tree 5:469 Nine magpies perch'd lament their alter'd state, 5:470 And, what they hear, are skilful to repeat). 5:471 The sister to the wondring Goddess said, 5:472 These, foil'd by us, by us were thus repaid. 5:473 These did Evippe of Paeonia bring 5:474 With nine hard labour-pangs to Pella's king. 5:475 The foolish virgins of their number proud, 5:476 And puff'd with praises of the senseless crowd, 5:477 Thro' all Achaia, and th' Aemonian plains 5:478 Defy'd us thus, to match their artless strains; 5:479 No more, ye Thespian girls, your notes repeat, 5:480 Nor with false harmony the vulgar cheat; 5:481 In voice or skill, if you with us will vye, 5:482 As many we, in voice or skill will try. 5:483 Surrender you to us, if we excell, 5:484 Fam'd Aganippe, and Medusa's well. 5:485 The conquest yours, your prize from us shall be 5:486 The Aemathian plains to snowy Paeone; 5:487 The nymphs our judges. To dispute the field, 5:488 We thought a shame; but greater shame to yield. 5:489 On seats of living stone the sisters sit, 5:490 And by the rivers swear to judge aright. The Song of the Pierides 5:491 Then rises one of the presumptuous throng, 5:492 Steps rudely forth, and first begins the song; 5:493 With vain address describes the giants' wars, 5:494 And to the Gods their fabled acts prefers. 5:495 She sings, from Earth's dark womb how Typhon rose, 5:496 And struck with mortal fear his heav'nly foes. 5:497 How the Gods fled to Egypt's slimy soil, 5:498 And hid their heads beneath the banks of Nile: 5:499 How Typhon, from the conquer'd skies, pursu'd 5:500 Their routed godheads to the sev'n-mouth'd flood; 5:501 Forc'd every God, his fury to escape, 5:502 Some beastly form to take, or earthly shape. 5:503 Jove (so she sung) was chang'd into a ram, 5:504 From whence the horns of Libyan Ammon came. 5:505 Bacchus a goat, Apollo was a crow, 5:506 Phaebe a cat; die wife of Jove a cow, 5:507 Whose hue was whiter than the falling snow. 5:508 Mercury to a nasty Ibis turn'd, 5:509 The change obscene, afraid of Typhon, mourn'd; 5:510 While Venus from a fish protection craves, 5:511 And once more plunges in her native waves. 5:512 She sung, and to her harp her voice apply'd; 5:513 Then us again to match her they defy'd. 5:514 But our poor song, perhaps, for you to hear, 5:515 Nor leisure serves, nor is it worth your ear. 5:516 That causeless doubt remove, O Muse rehearse, 5:517 The Goddess cry'd, your ever-grateful verse. 5:518 Beneath a chequer'd shade she takes her seat, 5:519 And bids the sister her whole song repeat. 5:520 The sister thus: Calliope we chose 5:521 For the performance. The sweet virgin rose, 5:522 With ivy crown'd she tunes her golden strings, 5:523 And to her harp this composition sings. The Song of the Muses 5:524 First Ceres taught the lab'ring hind to plow 5:525 The pregnant Earth, and quickning seed to sow. 5:526 She first for Man did wholsome food provide, 5:527 And with just laws the wicked world supply'd: 5:528 All good from her deriv'd, to her belong 5:529 The grateful tributes of the Muse's song. 5:530 Her more than worthy of our verse we deem, 5:531 Oh! were our verse more worthy of the theme. 5:532 Jove on the giant fair Trinacria hurl'd, 5:533 And with one bolt reveng'd his starry world. 5:534 Beneath her burning hills Tiphaeus lies, 5:535 And, strugling always, strives in vain to rise. 5:536 Down does Pelorus his right hand suppress 5:537 Tow'rd Latium, on the left Pachyne weighs. 5:538 His legs are under Lilybaeum spread, 5:539 And Aetna presses hard his horrid head. 5:540 On his broad back he there extended lies, 5:541 And vomits clouds of ashes to the skies. 5:542 Oft lab'ring with his load, at last he tires, 5:543 And spews out in revenge a flood of fires. 5:544 Mountains he struggles to o'erwhelm, and towns; 5:545 Earth's inmost bowels quake, and Nature groans. 5:546 His terrors reach the direful king of Hell; 5:547 He fears his throws will to the day reveal 5:548 The realms of night, and fright his trembling ghosts. 5:549 This to prevent, he quits the Stygian coasts, 5:550 In his black carr, by sooty horses drawn, 5:551 Fair Sicily he seeks, and dreads the dawn. 5:552 Around her plains he casts his eager eyes, 5:553 And ev'ry mountain to the bottom tries. 5:554 But when, in all the careful search, he saw 5:555 No cause of fear, no ill-suspected flaw; 5:556 Secure from harm, and wand'ring on at will, 5:557 Venus beheld him from her flow'ry hill: 5:558 When strait the dame her little Cupid prest 5:559 With secret rapture to her snowy breast, 5:560 And in these words the flutt'ring boy addrest. 5:561 O thou, my arms, my glory, and my pow'r, 5:562 My son, whom men, and deathless Gods adore; 5:563 Bend thy sure bow, whose arrows never miss'd, 5:564 No longer let Hell's king thy sway resist; 5:565 Take him, while stragling from his dark abodes 5:566 He coasts the kingdoms of superior Gods. 5:567 If sovereign Jove, if Gods who rule the waves, 5:568 And Neptune, who rules them, have been thy slaves; 5:569 Shall Hell be free? The tyrant strike, my son, 5:570 Enlarge thy mother's empire, and thy own. 5:571 Let not our Heav'n be made the mock of Hell, 5:572 But Pluto to confess thy pow'r compel. 5:573 Our rule is slighted in our native skies, 5:574 See Pallas, see Diana too defies 5:575 Thy darts, which Ceres' daughter wou'd despise. 5:576 She too our empire treats with aukward scorn; 5:577 Such insolence no longer's to be born. 5:578 Revenge our slighted reign, and with thy dart 5:579 Transfix the virgin's to the uncle's heart. 5:580 She said; and from his quiver strait he drew 5:581 A dart that surely wou'd the business do. 5:582 She guides his hand, she makes her touch the test, 5:583 And of a thousand arrows chose the best: 5:584 No feather better pois'd, a sharper head 5:585 None had, and sooner none, and surer sped. 5:586 He bends his bow, he draws it to his ear, 5:587 Thro' Pluto's heart it drives, and fixes there. The Rape of Proserpine 5:588 Near Enna's walls a spacious lake is spread, 5:589 Fam'd for the sweetly-singing swans it bred; 5:590 Pergusa is its name: and never more 5:591 Were heard, or sweeter on Cayster's shore. 5:592 Woods crown the lake; and Phoebus ne'er invades 5:593 The tufted fences, or offends the shades: 5:594 Fresh fragrant breezes fan the verdant bow'rs, 5:595 And the moist ground smiles with enamel'd flow'rs 5:596 The chearful birds their airy carols sing, 5:597 And the whole year is one eternal spring. 5:598 Here, while young Proserpine, among the maids, 5:599 Diverts herself in these delicious shades; 5:600 While like a child with busy speed and care 5:601 She gathers lillies here, and vi'lets there; 5:602 While first to fill her little lap she strives, 5:603 Hell's grizly monarch at the shade arrives; 5:604 Sees her thus sporting on the flow'ry green, 5:605 And loves the blooming maid, as soon as seen. 5:606 His urgent flame impatient of delay, 5:607 Swift as his thought he seiz'd the beauteous prey, 5:608 And bore her in his sooty carr away. 5:609 The frighted Goddess to her mother cries, 5:610 But all in vain, for now far off she flies; 5:611 Far she behind her leaves her virgin train; 5:612 To them too cries, and cries to them in vain, 5:613 And, while with passion she repeats her call, 5:614 The vi'lets from her lap, and lillies fall: 5:615 She misses 'em, poor heart! and makes new moan; 5:616 Her lillies, ah! are lost, her vi'lets gone. 5:617 O'er hills, the ravisher, and vallies speeds, 5:618 By name encouraging his foamy steeds; 5:619 He rattles o'er their necks the rusty reins, 5:620 And ruffles with the stroke their shaggy manes. 5:621 O'er lakes he whirls his flying wheels, and comes 5:622 To the Palici breathing sulph'rous fumes. 5:623 And thence to where the Bacchiads of renown 5:624 Between unequal havens built their town; 5:625 Where Arethusa, round th' imprison'd sea, 5:626 Extends her crooked coast to Cyane; 5:627 The nymph who gave the neighb'ring lake a name, 5:628 Of all Sicilian nymphs the first in fame, 5:629 She from the waves advanc'd her beauteous head, 5:630 The Goddess knew, and thus to Pluto said: 5:631 Farther thou shalt not with the virgin run; 5:632 Ceres unwilling, canst thou be her son? 5:633 The maid shou'd be by sweet perswasion won. 5:634 Force suits not with the softness of the fair; 5:635 For, if great things with small I may compare, 5:636 Me Anapis once lov'd; a milder course 5:637 He took, and won me by his words, not force. 5:638 Then, stretching out her arms, she stopt his way; 5:639 But he, impatient of the shortest stay, 5:640 Throws to his dreadful steeds the slacken'd rein, 5:641 And strikes his iron sceptre thro' the main; 5:642 The depths profound thro' yielding waves he cleaves, 5:643 And to Hell's center a free passage leaves; 5:644 Down sinks his chariot, and his realms of night 5:645 The God soon reaches with a rapid flight. Cyane dissolves to a Fountain 5:646 But still does Cyane the rape bemoan, 5:647 And with the Goddess' wrongs laments her own; 5:648 For the stoln maid, and for her injur'd spring, 5:649 Time to her trouble no relief can bring. 5:650 In her sad heart a heavy load she bears, 5:651 'Till the dumb sorrow turns her all to tears. 5:652 Her mingling waters with that fountain pass, 5:653 Of which she late immortal Goddess was; 5:654 Her varied members to a fluid melt, 5:655 A pliant softness in her bones is felt; 5:656 Her wavy locks first drop away in dew, 5:657 And liquid next her slender fingers grew. 5:658 The body's change soon seizes its extreme, 5:659 Her legs dissolve, and feet flow off in stream. 5:660 Her arms, her back, her shoulders, and her side, 5:661 Her swelling breasts in little currents glide, 5:662 A silver liquor only now remains 5:663 Within the channel of her purple veins; 5:664 Nothing to fill love's grasp; her husband chaste 5:665 Bathes in that bosom he before embrac'd. A Boy transform'd to an Eft 5:666 Thus, while thro' all the Earth, and all the main, 5:667 Her daughter mournful Ceres sought in vain; 5:668 Aurora, when with dewy looks she rose, 5:669 Nor burnish'd Vesper found her in repose, 5:670 At Aetna's flaming mouth two pitchy pines 5:671 To light her in her search at length she tines. 5:672 Restless, with these, thro' frosty night she goes, 5:673 Nor fears the cutting winds, nor heeds the snows; 5:674 And, when the morning-star the day renews, 5:675 From east to west her absent child pursues. 5:676 Thirsty at last by long fatigue she grows, 5:677 But meets no spring, no riv'let near her flows. 5:678 Then looking round, a lowly cottage spies, 5:679 Smoaking among the trees, and thither hies. 5:680 The Goddess knocking at the little door, 5:681 'Twas open'd by a woman old and poor, 5:682 Who, when she begg'd for water, gave her ale 5:683 Brew'd long, but well preserv'd from being stale. 5:684 The Goddess drank; a chuffy lad was by, 5:685 Who saw the liquor with a grutching eye, 5:686 And grinning cries, She's greedy more than dry. 5:687 Ceres, offended at his foul grimace, 5:688 Flung what she had not drunk into his face, 5:689 The sprinklings speckle where they hit the skin, 5:690 And a long tail does from his body spin; 5:691 His arms are turn'd to legs, and lest his size 5:692 Shou'd make him mischievous, and he might rise 5:693 Against mankind, diminutives his frame, 5:694 Less than a lizzard, but in shape the same. 5:695 Amaz'd the dame the wondrous sight beheld, 5:696 And weeps, and fain wou'd touch her quondam child. 5:697 Yet her approach th' affrighted vermin shuns, 5:698 And fast into the greatest crevice runs. 5:699 A name they gave him, which the spots exprest, 5:700 That rose like stars, and varied all his breast. 5:701 What lands, what seas the Goddess wander'd o'er, 5:702 Were long to tell; for there remain'd no more. 5:703 Searching all round, her fruitless toil she mourns, 5:704 And with regret to Sicily returns. 5:705 At length, where Cyane now flows, she came, 5:706 Who cou'd have told her, were she still the same 5:707 As when she saw her daughter sink to Hell; 5:708 But what she knows she wants a tongue to tell. 5:709 Yet this plain signal manifestly gave, 5:710 The virgin's girdle floating on a wave, 5:711 As late she dropt it from her slender waste, 5:712 When with her uncle thro' the deep she past. 5:713 Ceres the token by her grief confest, 5:714 And tore her golden hair, and beat her breast. 5:715 She knows not on what land her curse shou'd fall, 5:716 But, as ingrate, alike upbraids them all, 5:717 Unworthy of her gifts; Trinacria most, 5:718 Where the last steps she found of what she lost. 5:719 The plough for this the vengeful Goddess broke, 5:720 And with one death the ox, and owner struck, 5:721 In vain the fallow fields the peasant tills, 5:722 The seed, corrupted ere 'tis sown, she kills. 5:723 The fruitful soil, that once such harvests bore, 5:724 Now mocks the farmer's care, and teems no more. 5:725 And the rich grain which fills the furrow'd glade, 5:726 Rots in the seed, or shrivels in the blade; 5:727 Or too much sun burns up, or too much rain 5:728 Drowns, or black blights destroy the blasted plain; 5:729 Or greedy birds the new-sown seed devour, 5:730 Or darnel, thistles, and a crop impure 5:731 Of knotted grass along the acres stand, 5:732 And spread their thriving roots thro' all the land. 5:733 Then from the waves soft Arethusa rears 5:734 Her head, and back she flings her dropping hairs. 5:735 O mother of the maid, whom thou so far 5:736 Hast sought, of whom thou canst no tidings hear; 5:737 O thou, she cry'd, who art to life a friend, 5:738 Cease here thy search, and let thy labour end. 5:739 Thy faithful Sicily's a guiltless clime, 5:740 And shou'd not suffer for another's crime; 5:741 She neither knew, nor cou'd prevent the deed; 5:742 Nor think that for my country thus I plead; 5:743 My country's Pisa, I'm an alien here, 5:744 Yet these abodes to Elis I prefer, 5:745 No clime to me so sweet, no place so dear. 5:746 These springs I Arethusa now possess, 5:747 And this my seat, o gracious Goddess, bless: 5:748 This island why I love, and why I crost 5:749 Such spacious seas to reach Ortygia's coast, 5:750 To you I shall impart, when, void of care, 5:751 Your heart's at ease, and you're more fit to hear; 5:752 When on your brow no pressing sorrow sits, 5:753 For gay content alone such tales admits. 5:754 When thro' Earth's caverns I a-while have roul'd 5:755 My waves, I rise, and here again behold 5:756 The long-lost stars; and, as I late did glide 5:757 Near Styx, Proserpina there I espy'd. 5:758 Fear still with grief might in her face be seen; 5:759 She still her rape laments; yet, made a queen, 5:760 Beneath those gloomy shades her sceptre sways, 5:761 And ev'n th' infernal king her will obeys. 5:762 This heard, the Goddess like a statue stood, 5:763 Stupid with grief; and in that musing mood 5:764 Continu'd long; new cares a-while supprest 5:765 The reigning of her immortal breast. 5:766 At last to Jove her daughter's sire she flies, 5:767 And with her chariot cuts the chrystal skies; 5:768 She comes in clouds, and with dishevel'd hair, 5:769 Standing before his throne, prefers her pray'r. 5:770 King of the Gods, defend my blood and thine, 5:771 And use it not the worse for being mine. 5:772 If I no more am gracious in thy sight, 5:773 Be just, o Jove, and do thy daughter right. 5:774 In vain I sought her the wide world around, 5:775 And, when I most despair'd to find her, found. 5:776 But how can I the fatal finding boast, 5:777 By which I know she is for ever lost? 5:778 Without her father's aid, what other Pow'r 5:779 Can to my arms the ravish'd maid restore? 5:780 Let him restore her, I'll the crime forgive; 5:781 My child, tho' ravish'd, I'd with joy receive. 5:782 Pity, your daughter with a thief shou'd wed, 5:783 Tho' mine, you think, deserves no better bed. 5:784 Jove thus replies: It equally belongs 5:785 To both, to guard our common pledge from wrongs. 5:786 But if to things we proper names apply, 5:787 This hardly can be call'd an injury. 5:788 The theft is love; nor need we blush to own 5:789 The thief, if I can judge, to be our son. 5:790 Had you of his desert no other proof, 5:791 To be Jove's brother is methinks enough. 5:792 Nor was my throne by worth superior got, 5:793 Heav'n fell to me, as Hell to him, by lot: 5:794 If you are still resolv'd her loss to mourn, 5:795 And nothing less will serve than her return; 5:796 Upon these terms she may again be yours 5:797 (Th' irrevocable terms of fate, not ours), 5:798 Of Stygian food if she did never taste, 5:799 Hell's bounds may then, and only then, be past. The Transformation of Ascalaphus into an Owl 5:800 The Goddess now, resolving to succeed, 5:801 Down to the gloomy shades descends with speed; 5:802 But adverse fate had otherwise decreed. 5:803 For, long before, her giddy thoughtless child 5:804 Had broke her fast, and all her projects spoil'd. 5:805 As in the garden's shady walk she stray'd, 5:806 A fair pomegranate charm'd the simple maid, 5:807 Hung in her way, and tempting her to taste, 5:808 She pluck'd the fruit, and took a short repast. 5:809 Seven times, a seed at once, she eat the food; 5:810 The fact Ascalaphus had only view'd; 5:811 Whom Acheron begot in Stygian shades 5:812 On Orphne, fam'd among Avernal maids; 5:813 He saw what past, and by discov'ring all, 5:814 Detain'd the ravish'd nymph in cruel thrall. 5:815 But now a queen, she with resentment heard, 5:816 And chang'd the vile informer to a bird. 5:817 In Phlegeton's black stream her hand she dips, 5:818 Sprinkles his head, and wets his babling lips. 5:819 Soon on his face, bedropt with magick dew, 5:820 A change appear'd, and gawdy feathers grew. 5:821 A crooked beak the place of nose supplies, 5:822 Rounder his head, and larger are his eyes. 5:823 His arms and body waste, but are supply'd 5:824 With yellow pinions flagging on each side. 5:825 His nails grow crooked, and are turn'd to claws, 5:826 And lazily along his heavy wings he draws. 5:827 Ill-omen'd in his form, the unlucky fowl, 5:828 Abhorr'd by men, and call'd a scrieching owl. The Daughters of Achelous transform'd to Sirens 5:829 Justly this punishment was due to him, 5:830 And less had been too little for his crime; 5:831 But, o ye nymphs that from the flood descend, 5:832 What fault of yours the Gods cou'd so offend, 5:833 With wings and claws your beauteous forms to spoil, 5:834 Yet save your maiden face, and winning smile? 5:835 Were you not with her in Pergusa's bow'rs, 5:836 When Proserpine went forth to gather flow'rs? 5:837 Since Pluto in his carr the Goddess caught, 5:838 Have you not for her in each climate sought? 5:839 And when on land you long had search'd in vain, 5:840 You wish'd for wings to cross the pathless main; 5:841 That Earth and Sea might witness to your care: 5:842 The Gods were easy, and return'd your pray'r; 5:843 With golden wing o'er foamy waves you fled, 5:844 And to the sun your plumy glories spread. 5:845 But, lest the soft enchantment of your songs, 5:846 And the sweet musick of your flat'ring tongues 5:847 Shou'd quite be lost (as courteous fates ordain), 5:848 Your voice and virgin beauty still remain. 5:849 Jove some amends for Ceres lost to make, 5:850 Yet willing Pluto shou'd the joy partake, 5:851 Gives 'em of Proserpine an equal share, 5:852 Who, claim'd by both, with both divides the year. 5:853 The Goddess now in either empire sways, 5:854 Six moons in Hell, and six with Ceres stays. 5:855 Her peevish temper's chang'd; that sullen mind, 5:856 Which made ev'n Hell uneasy, now is kind, 5:857 Her voice refines, her mein more sweet appears, 5:858 Her forehead free from frowns, her eyes from tears, 5:859 As when, with golden light, the conqu'ring day 5:860 Thro' dusky exhalations clears a way. 5:861 Ceres her daughter's rape no longer mourn'd, 5:862 But back to Arethusa's spring return'd; 5:863 And sitting on the margin, bid her tell 5:864 From whence she came, and why a sacred well. The Story of Arethusa 5:865 Still were the purling waters, and the maid 5:866 From the smooth surface rais'd her beauteous head, 5:867 Wipes off the drops that from her tresses ran, 5:868 And thus to tell Alpheus' loves began. 5:869 In Elis first I breath'd the living air, 5:870 The chase was all my pleasure, all my care. 5:871 None lov'd like me the forest to explore, 5:872 To pitch the toils, and drive the bristled boar. 5:873 Of fair, tho' masculine, I had the name, 5:874 But gladly wou'd to that have quitted claim: 5:875 It less my pride than indignation rais'd, 5:876 To hear the beauty I neglected, prais'd; 5:877 Such compliments I loath'd, such charms as these 5:878 I scorn'd, and thought it infamy to please. 5:879 Once, I remember, in the summer's heat, 5:880 Tir'd with the chase, I sought a cool retreat; 5:881 And, walking on, a silent current found, 5:882 Which gently glided o'er the grav'ly ground. 5:883 The chrystal water was so smooth, so clear, 5:884 My eye distinguish'd ev'ry pebble there. 5:885 So soft its motion, that I scarce perceiv'd 5:886 The running stream, or what I saw believ'd. 5:887 The hoary willow, and the poplar, made 5:888 Along the shelving bank a grateful shade. 5:889 In the cool rivulet my feet I dipt, 5:890 Then waded to the knee, and then I stript; 5:891 My robe I careless on an osier threw, 5:892 That near the place commodiously grew; 5:893 Nor long upon the border naked stood, 5:894 But plung'd with speed into the silver flood. 5:895 My arms a thousand ways I mov'd, and try'd 5:896 To quicken, if I cou'd, the lazy tide; 5:897 Where, while I play'd my swimming gambols o'er, 5:898 I heard a murm'ring voice, and frighted sprung to shore. 5:899 Oh! whither, Arethusa, dost thou fly? 5:900 From the brook's bottom did Alpheus cry; 5:901 Again, I heard him, in a hollow tone, 5:902 Oh! whither, Arethusa, dost thou run? 5:903 Naked I flew, nor cou'd I stay to hide 5:904 My limbs, my robe was on the other side; 5:905 Alpheus follow'd fast, th' inflaming sight 5:906 Quicken'd his speed, and made his labour light; 5:907 He sees me ready for his eager arms, 5:908 And with a greedy glance devours my charms. 5:909 As trembling doves from pressing danger fly, 5:910 When the fierce hawk comes sousing from the sky; 5:911 And, as fierce hawks the trembling doves pursue, 5:912 From him I fled, and after me he flew. 5:913 First by Orchomenus I took my flight, 5:914 And soon had Psophis and Cyllene in sight; 5:915 Behind me then high Maenalus I lost, 5:916 And craggy Erimanthus scal'd with frost; 5:917 Elis was next; thus far the ground I trod 5:918 With nimble feet, before the distanc'd God. 5:919 But here I lagg'd, unable to sustain 5:920 The labour longer, and my flight maintain; 5:921 While he more strong, more patient of the toil, 5:922 And fir'd with hopes of beauty's speedy spoil, 5:923 Gain'd my lost ground, and by redoubled pace, 5:924 Now left between us but a narrow space. 5:925 Unweary'd I 'till now o'er hills, and plains, 5:926 O'er rocks, and rivers ran, and felt no pains: 5:927 The sun behind me, and the God I kept, 5:928 But, when I fastest shou'd have run, I stept. 5:929 Before my feet his shadow now appear'd; 5:930 As what I saw, or rather what I fear'd. 5:931 Yet there I could not be deceiv'd by fear, 5:932 Who felt his breath pant on my braided hair, 5:933 And heard his sounding tread, and knew him to be near. 5:934 Tir'd, and despairing, O celestial maid, 5:935 I'm caught, I cry'd, without thy heav'nly aid. 5:936 Help me, Diana, help a nymph forlorn, 5:937 Devoted to the woods, who long has worn 5:938 Thy livery, and long thy quiver born. 5:939 The Goddess heard; my pious pray'r prevail'd; 5:940 In muffling clouds my virgin head was veil'd, 5:941 The am'rous God, deluded of his hopes, 5:942 Searches the gloom, and thro' the darkness gropes; 5:943 Twice, where Diana did her servant hide 5:944 He came, and twice, O Arethusa! cry'd. 5:945 How shaken was my soul, how sunk my heart! 5:946 The terror seiz'd on ev'ry trembling part. 5:947 Thus when the wolf about the mountain prowls 5:948 For prey, the lambkin hears his horrid howls: 5:949 The tim'rous hare, the pack approaching nigh, 5:950 Thus hearkens to the hounds, and trembles at the cry; 5:951 Nor dares she stir, for fear her scented breath 5:952 Direct the dogs, and guide the threaten'd death. 5:953 Alpheus in the cloud no traces found 5:954 To mark my way, yet stays to guard the ground, 5:955 The God so near, a chilly sweat possest 5:956 My fainting limbs, at ev'ry pore exprest; 5:957 My strength distill'd in drops, my hair in dew, 5:958 My form was chang'd, and all my substance new. 5:959 Each motion was a stream, and my whole frame 5:960 Turn'd to a fount, which still preserves my name. 5:961 Resolv'd I shou'd not his embrace escape, 5:962 Again the God resumes his fluid shape; 5:963 To mix his streams with mine he fondly tries, 5:964 But still Diana his attempt denies. 5:965 She cleaves the ground; thro' caverns dark I run 5:966 A diff'rent current, while he keeps his own. 5:967 To dear Ortygia she conducts my way, 5:968 And here I first review the welcome day. 5:969 Here Arethusa stopt; then Ceres takes 5:970 Her golden carr, and yokes her fiery snakes; 5:971 With a just rein, along mid-heaven she flies 5:972 O'er Earth, and seas, and cuts the yielding skies. 5:973 She halts at Athens, dropping like a star, 5:974 And to Triptolemus resigns her carr. 5:975 Parent of seed, she gave him fruitful grain, 5:976 And bad him teach to till and plough the plain; 5:977 The seed to sow, as well in fallow fields, 5:978 As where the soil manur'd a richer harvest yields. The Transformation of Lyncus 5:979 The youth o'er Europe and o'er Asia drives, 5:980 'Till at the court of Lyncus he arrives. 5:981 The tyrant Scythia's barb'rous empire sway'd; 5:982 And, when he saw Triptolemus, he said, 5:983 How cam'st thou, stranger, to our court, and why? 5:984 Thy country, and thy name? The youth did thus reply: 5:985 Triptolemus my name; my country's known 5:986 O'er all the world, Minerva's fav'rite town, 5:987 Athens, the first of cities in renown. 5:988 By land I neither walk'd, nor sail'd by sea, 5:989 But hither thro' the Aether made my way. 5:990 By me, the Goddess who the fields befriends, 5:991 These gifts, the greatest of all blessings, sends. 5:992 The grain she gives if in your soil you sow, 5:993 Thence wholsom food in golden crops shall grow. 5:994 Soon as the secret to the king was known, 5:995 He grudg'd the glory of the service done, 5:996 And wickedly resolv'd to make it all his own. 5:997 To hide his purpose, he invites his guest, 5:998 The friend of Ceres, to a royal feast, 5:999 And when sweet sleep his heavy eyes had seiz'd, 5:1000 The tyrant with his steel attempts his breast. 5:1001 Him strait a lynx's shape the Goddess gives, 5:1002 And home the youth her sacred dragons drives. The Pierides transform'd to Magpies 5:1003 The chosen Muse here ends her sacred lays; 5:1004 The nymphs unanimous decree the bays, 5:1005 And give the Heliconian Goddesses the praise. 5:1006 Then, far from vain that we shou'd thus prevail, 5:1007 But much provok'd to hear the vanquish'd rail, 5:1008 Calliope resumes: Too long we've born 5:1009 Your daring taunts, and your affronting scorn; 5:1010 Your challenge justly merited a curse, 5:1011 And this unmanner'd railing makes it worse. 5:1012 Since you refuse us calmly to enjoy 5:1013 Our patience, next our passions we'll employ; 5:1014 The dictates of a mind enrag'd pursue, 5:1015 And, what our just resentment bids us, do. 5:1016 The railers laugh, our threats and wrath despise, 5:1017 And clap their hands, and make a scolding noise: 5:1018 But in the fact they're seiz'd; beneath their nails 5:1019 Feathers they feel, and on their faces scales; 5:1020 Their horny beaks at once each other scare, 5:1021 Their arms are plum'd, and on their backs they bear 5:1022 Py'd wings, and flutter in the fleeting air. 5:1023 Chatt'ring, the scandal of the woods they fly, 5:1024 And there continue still their clam'rous cry: 5:1025 The same their eloquence, as maids, or birds, 5:1026 Now only noise, and nothing then but words. BOOK THE SIXTH The Transformation of Arachne into a Spider 6:1 Pallas, attending to the Muse's song, 6:2 Approv'd the just resentment of their wrong; 6:3 And thus reflects: While tamely I commend 6:4 Those who their injur'd deities defend, 6:5 My own divinity affronted stands, 6:6 And calls aloud for justice at my hands; 6:7 Then takes the hint, asham'd to lag behind, 6:8 And on Arachne' bends her vengeful mind; 6:9 One at the loom so excellently skill'd, 6:10 That to the Goddess she refus'd to yield. 6:11 Low was her birth, and small her native town, 6:12 She from her art alone obtain'd renown. 6:13 Idmon, her father, made it his employ, 6:14 To give the spungy fleece a purple dye: 6:15 Of vulgar strain her mother, lately dead, 6:16 With her own rank had been content to wed; 6:17 Yet she their daughter, tho' her time was spent 6:18 In a small hamlet, and of mean descent, 6:19 Thro' the great towns of Lydia gain'd a name, 6:20 And fill'd the neighb'ring countries with her fame. 6:21 Oft, to admire the niceness of her skill, 6:22 The Nymphs would quit their fountain, shade, or hill: 6:23 Thither, from green Tymolus, they repair, 6:24 And leave the vineyards, their peculiar care; 6:25 Thither, from fam'd Pactolus' golden stream, 6:26 Drawn by her art, the curious Naiads came. 6:27 Nor would the work, when finish'd, please so much, 6:28 As, while she wrought, to view each graceful touch; 6:29 Whether the shapeless wool in balls she wound, 6:30 Or with quick motion turn'd the spindle round, 6:31 Or with her pencil drew the neat design, 6:32 Pallas her mistress shone in every line. 6:33 This the proud maid with scornful air denies, 6:34 And ev'n the Goddess at her work defies; 6:35 Disowns her heav'nly mistress ev'ry hour, 6:36 Nor asks her aid, nor deprecates her pow'r. 6:37 Let us, she cries, but to a tryal come, 6:38 And, if she conquers, let her fix my doom. 6:39 The Goddess then a beldame's form put on, 6:40 With silver hairs her hoary temples shone; 6:41 Prop'd by a staff, she hobbles in her walk, 6:42 And tott'ring thus begins her old wives' talk. 6:43 Young maid attend, nor stubbornly despise 6:44 The admonitions of the old, and wise; 6:45 For age, tho' scorn'd, a ripe experience bears, 6:46 That golden fruit, unknown to blooming years: 6:47 Still may remotest fame your labours crown, 6:48 And mortals your superior genius own; 6:49 But to the Goddess yield, and humbly meek 6:50 A pardon for your bold presumption seek; 6:51 The Goddess will forgive. At this the maid, 6:52 With passion fir'd, her gliding shuttle stay'd; 6:53 And, darting vengeance with an angry look, 6:54 To Pallas in disguise thus fiercely spoke. 6:55 Thou doating thing, whose idle babling tongue 6:56 But too well shews the plague of living long; 6:57 Hence, and reprove, with this your sage advice, 6:58 Your giddy daughter, or your aukward neice; 6:59 Know, I despise your counsel, and am still 6:60 A woman, ever wedded to my will; 6:61 And, if your skilful Goddess better knows, 6:62 Let her accept the tryal I propose. 6:63 She does, impatient Pallas strait replies, 6:64 And, cloath'd with heavenly light, sprung from her odd disguise. 6:65 The Nymphs, and virgins of the plain adore 6:66 The awful Goddess, and confess her pow'r; 6:67 The maid alone stood unappall'd; yet show'd 6:68 A transient blush, that for a moment glow'd, 6:69 Then disappear'd; as purple streaks adorn 6:70 The opening beauties of the rosy morn; 6:71 Till Phoebus rising prevalently bright, 6:72 Allays the tincture with his silver light. 6:73 Yet she persists, and obstinately great, 6:74 In hopes of conquest hurries on her fate. 6:75 The Goddess now the challenge waves no more, 6:76 Nor, kindly good, advises as before. 6:77 Strait to their posts appointed both repair, 6:78 And fix their threaded looms with equal care: 6:79 Around the solid beam the web is ty'd, 6:80 While hollow canes the parting warp divide; 6:81 Thro' which with nimble flight the shuttles play, 6:82 And for the woof prepare a ready way; 6:83 The woof and warp unite, press'd by the toothy slay. 6:84 Thus both, their mantles button'd to their breast, 6:85 Their skilful fingers ply with willing haste, 6:86 And work with pleasure; while they chear the eye 6:87 With glowing purple of the Tyrian dye: 6:88 Or, justly intermixing shades with light, 6:89 Their colourings insensibly unite. 6:90 As when a show'r transpierc'd with sunny rays, 6:91 Its mighty arch along the heav'n displays; 6:92 From whence a thousand diff'rent colours rise, 6:93 Whose fine transition cheats the clearest eyes; 6:94 So like the intermingled shading seems, 6:95 And only differs in the last extreams. 6:96 Then threads of gold both artfully dispose, 6:97 And, as each part in just proportion rose, 6:98 Some antique fable in their work disclose. 6:99 Pallas in figures wrought the heav'nly Pow'rs, 6:100 And Mars's hill among th' Athenian tow'rs. 6:101 On lofty thrones twice six celestials sate, 6:102 Jove in the midst, and held their warm debate; 6:103 The subject weighty, and well-known to fame, 6:104 From whom the city shou'd receive its name. 6:105 Each God by proper features was exprest, 6:106 Jove with majestick mein excell'd the rest. 6:107 His three-fork'd mace the dewy sea-God shook, 6:108 And, looking sternly, smote the ragged rock; 6:109 When from the stone leapt forth a spritely steed, 6:110 And Neptune claims the city for the deed. 6:111 Herself she blazons, with a glitt'ring spear, 6:112 And crested helm that veil'd her braided hair, 6:113 With shield, and scaly breast-plate, implements of war. 6:114 Struck with her pointed launce, the teeming Earth 6:115 Seem'd to produce a new surprizing birth; 6:116 When, from the glebe, the pledge of conquest sprung, 6:117 A tree pale-green with fairest olives hung. 6:118 And then, to let her giddy rival learn 6:119 What just rewards such boldness was to earn, 6:120 Four tryals at each corner had their part, 6:121 Design'd in miniature, and touch'd with art. 6:122 Haemus in one, and Rodope of Thrace 6:123 Transform'd to mountains, fill'd the foremost place; 6:124 Who claim'd the titles of the Gods above, 6:125 And vainly us'd the epithets of Jove. 6:126 Another shew'd, where the Pigmaean dame, 6:127 Profaning Juno's venerable name, 6:128 Turn'd to an airy crane, descends from far, 6:129 And with her Pigmy subjects wages war. 6:130 In a third part, the rage of Heav'n's great queen, 6:131 Display'd on proud Antigone, was seen: 6:132 Who with presumptuous boldness dar'd to vye, 6:133 For beauty with the empress of the sky. 6:134 Ah! what avails her ancient princely race, 6:135 Her sire a king, and Troy her native place: 6:136 Now, to a noisy stork transform'd, she flies, 6:137 And with her whiten'd pinions cleaves the skies. 6:138 And in the last remaining part was drawn 6:139 Poor Cinyras that seem'd to weep in stone; 6:140 Clasping the temple steps, he sadly mourn'd 6:141 His lovely daughters, now to marble turn'd. 6:142 With her own tree the finish'd piece is crown'd, 6:143 And wreaths of peaceful olive all the work surround. 6:144 Arachne drew the fam'd intrigues of Jove, 6:145 Chang'd to a bull to gratify his love; 6:146 How thro' the briny tide all foaming hoar, 6:147 Lovely Europa on his back he bore. 6:148 The sea seem'd waving, and the trembling maid 6:149 Shrunk up her tender feet, as if afraid; 6:150 And, looking back on the forsaken strand, 6:151 To her companions wafts her distant hand. 6:152 Next she design'd Asteria's fabled rape, 6:153 When Jove assum'd a soaring eagle's shape: 6:154 And shew'd how Leda lay supinely press'd, 6:155 Whilst the soft snowy swan sate hov'ring o'er her breast, 6:156 How in a satyr's form the God beguil'd, 6:157 When fair Antiope with twins he fill'd. 6:158 Then, like Amphytrion, but a real Jove, 6:159 In fair Alcmena's arms he cool'd his love. 6:160 In fluid gold to Danae's heart he came, 6:161 Aegina felt him in a lambent flame. 6:162 He took Mnemosyne in shepherd's make, 6:163 And for Deois was a speckled snake. 6:164 She made thee, Neptune, like a wanton steer, 6:165 Pacing the meads for love of Arne dear; 6:166 Next like a stream, thy burning flame to slake, 6:167 And like a ram, for fair Bisaltis' sake. 6:168 Then Ceres in a steed your vigour try'd, 6:169 Nor cou'd the mare the yellow Goddess hide. 6:170 Next, to a fowl transform'd, you won by force 6:171 The snake-hair'd mother of the winged horse; 6:172 And, in a dolphin's fishy form, subdu'd 6:173 Melantho sweet beneath the oozy flood. 6:174 All these the maid with lively features drew, 6:175 And open'd proper landskips to the view. 6:176 There Phoebus, roving like a country swain, 6:177 Attunes his jolly pipe along the plain; 6:178 For lovely Isse's sake in shepherd's weeds, 6:179 O'er pastures green his bleating flock he feeds, 6:180 There Bacchus, imag'd like the clust'ring grape, 6:181 Melting bedrops Erigone's fair lap; 6:182 And there old Saturn, stung with youthful heat, 6:183 Form'd like a stallion, rushes to the feat. 6:184 Fresh flow'rs, which twists of ivy intertwine, 6:185 Mingling a running foliage, close the neat design. 6:186 This the bright Goddess passionately mov'd, 6:187 With envy saw, yet inwardly approv'd. 6:188 The scene of heav'nly guilt with haste she tore, 6:189 Nor longer the affront with patience bore; 6:190 A boxen shuttle in her hand she took, 6:191 And more than once Arachne's forehead struck. 6:192 Th' unhappy maid, impatient of the wrong, 6:193 Down from a beam her injur'd person hung; 6:194 When Pallas, pitying her wretched state, 6:195 At once prevented, and pronounc'd her fate: 6:196 Live; but depend, vile wretch, the Goddess cry'd, 6:197 Doom'd in suspence for ever to be ty'd; 6:198 That all your race, to utmost date of time, 6:199 May feel the vengeance, and detest the crime. 6:200 Then, going off, she sprinkled her with juice, 6:201 Which leaves of baneful aconite produce. 6:202 Touch'd with the pois'nous drug, her flowing hair 6:203 Fell to the ground, and left her temples bare; 6:204 Her usual features vanish'd from their place, 6:205 Her body lessen'd all, but most her face. 6:206 Her slender fingers, hanging on each side 6:207 With many joynts, the use of legs supply'd: 6:208 A spider's bag the rest, from which she gives 6:209 A thread, and still by constant weaving lives. The Story of Niobe 6:210 Swift thro' the Phrygian towns the rumour flies, 6:211 And the strange news each female tongue employs: 6:212 Niobe, who before she married knew 6:213 The famous nymph, now found the story true; 6:214 Yet, unreclaim'd by poor Arachne's fate, 6:215 Vainly above the Gods assum'd a state. 6:216 Her husband's fame, their family's descent, 6:217 Their pow'r, and rich dominion's wide extent, 6:218 Might well have justify'd a decent pride; 6:219 But not on these alone the dame rely'd. 6:220 Her lovely progeny, that far excell'd, 6:221 The mother's heart with vain ambition swell'd: 6:222 The happiest mother not unjustly styl'd, 6:223 Had no conceited thoughts her tow'ring fancy fill'd. 6:224 For once a prophetess with zeal inspir'd, 6:225 Their slow neglect to warm devotion fir'd; 6:226 Thro' ev'ry street of Thebes who ran possess'd, 6:227 And thus in accents wild her charge express'd: 6:228 Haste, haste, ye Theban matrons, and adore, 6:229 With hallow'd rites, Latona's mighty pow'r; 6:230 And, to the heav'nly twins that from her spring, 6:231 With laurel crown'd, your smoaking incense bring. 6:232 Strait the great summons ev'ry dame obey'd, 6:233 And due submission to the Goddess paid: 6:234 Graceful, with laurel chaplets dress'd, they came, 6:235 And offer'd incense in the sacred flame. 6:236 Mean-while, surrounded with a courtly guard, 6:237 The royal Niobe in state appear'd; 6:238 Attir'd in robes embroider'd o'er with gold, 6:239 And mad with rage, yet lovely to behold: 6:240 Her comely tresses, trembling as she stood, 6:241 Down her fine neck with easy motion flow'd; 6:242 Then, darting round a proud disdainful look, 6:243 In haughty tone her hasty passion broke, 6:244 And thus began: What madness this, to court 6:245 A Goddess, founded meerly on report? 6:246 Dare ye a poor pretended Pow'r invoke, 6:247 While yet no altars to my godhead smoke? 6:248 Mine, whose immediate lineage stands confess'd 6:249 From Tantalus, the only mortal guest 6:250 That e'er the Gods admitted to their feast. 6:251 A sister of the Pleiads gave me birth; 6:252 And Atlas, mightiest mountain upon Earth, 6:253 Who bears the globe of all the stars above, 6:254 My grandsire was, and Atlas sprung from Jove. 6:255 The Theban towns my majesty adore, 6:256 And neighb'ring Phrygia trembles at my pow'r: 6:257 Rais'd by my husband's lute, with turrets crown'd, 6:258 Our lofty city stands secur'd around. 6:259 Within my court, where-e'er I turn my eyes, 6:260 Unbounded treasures to my prospect rise: 6:261 With these my face I modestly may name, 6:262 As not unworthy of so high a claim; 6:263 Seven are my daughters, of a form divine, 6:264 With seven fair sons, an indefective line. 6:265 Go, fools! consider this; and ask the cause 6:266 From which my pride its strong presumption draws; 6:267 Consider this; and then prefer to me 6:268 Caeus the Titan's vagrant progeny; 6:269 To whom, in travel, the whole spacious Earth 6:270 No room afforded for her spurious birth. 6:271 Not the least part in Earth, in Heav'n, or seas, 6:272 Would grant your out-law'd Goddess any ease: 6:273 'Till pitying hers, from his own wand'ring case, 6:274 Delos, the floating island, gave a place. 6:275 There she a mother was, of two at most; 6:276 Only the seventh part of what I boast. 6:277 My joys all are beyond suspicion fix'd; 6:278 With no pollutions of misfortune mix'd; 6:279 Safe on the Basis of my pow'r I stand, 6:280 Above the reach of Fortune's fickle hand. 6:281 Lessen she may my inexhausted store, 6:282 And much destroy, yet still must leave me more. 6:283 Suppose it possible that some may dye 6:284 Of this my num'rous lovely progeny; 6:285 Still with Latona I might safely vye. 6:286 Who, by her scanty breed, scarce fit to name, 6:287 But just escapes the childless woman's shame. 6:288 Go then, with speed your laurel'd heads uncrown, 6:289 And leave the silly farce you have begun. 6:290 The tim'rous throng their sacred rites forbore, 6:291 And from their heads the verdant laurel tore; 6:292 Their haughty queen they with regret obey'd, 6:293 And still in gentle murmurs softly pray'd. 6:294 High, on the top of Cynthus' shady mount, 6:295 With grief the Goddess saw the base affront; 6:296 And, the abuse revolving in her breast, 6:297 The mother her twin-offspring thus addrest. 6:298 Lo I, my children, who with comfort knew 6:299 Your God-like birth, and thence my glory drew; 6:300 And thence have claim'd precedency of place 6:301 From all but Juno of the heav'nly race, 6:302 Must now despair, and languish in disgrace. 6:303 My godhead question'd, and all rites divine, 6:304 Unless you succour, banish'd from my shrine. 6:305 Nay more, the imp of Tantalus has flung 6:306 Reflections with her vile paternal tongue; 6:307 Has dar'd prefer her mortal breed to mine, 6:308 And call'd me childless; which, just fate, may she repine! 6:309 When to urge more the Goddess was prepar'd, 6:310 Phoebus in haste replies, Too much we've heard, 6:311 And ev'ry moment's lost, while vengeance is defer'd. 6:312 Diana spoke the same. Then both enshroud 6:313 Their heav'nly bodies in a sable cloud; 6:314 And to the Theban tow'rs descending light, 6:315 Thro' the soft yielding air direct their flight. 6:316 Without the wall there lies a champian ground 6:317 With even surface, far extending round, 6:318 Beaten and level'd, while it daily feels 6:319 The trampling horse, and chariot's grinding wheels. 6:320 Part of proud Niobe's young rival breed, 6:321 Practising there to ride the manag'd steed, 6:322 Their bridles boss'd with gold, were mounted high 6:323 On stately furniture of Tyrian dye. 6:324 Of these, Ismenos, who by birth had been 6:325 The first fair issue of the fruitful queen, 6:326 Just as he drew the rein to guide his horse, 6:327 Around the compass of the circling course, 6:328 Sigh'd deeply, and the pangs of smart express'd, 6:329 While the shaft stuck, engor'd within his breast: 6:330 And, the reins dropping from his dying hand, 6:331 He sunk quite down, and tumbled on the sand. 6:332 Sipylus next the rattling quiver heard, 6:333 And with full speed for his escape prepar'd; 6:334 As when the pilot from the black'ning skies 6:335 A gath'ring storm of wintry rain descries, 6:336 His sails unfurl'd, and crowded all with wind, 6:337 He strives to leave the threat'ning cloud behind: 6:338 So fled the youth; but an unerring dart 6:339 O'ertook him, quick discharg'd, and sped with art; 6:340 Fix'd in his neck behind, it trembling stood, 6:341 And at his throat display'd the point besmear'd with blood 6:342 Prone, as his posture was, he tumbled o'er, 6:343 And bath'd his courser's mane with steaming gore. 6:344 Next at young Phaedimus they took their aim, 6:345 And Tantalus who bore his grandsire's name: 6:346 These, when their other exercise was done, 6:347 To try the wrestler's oily sport begun; 6:348 And, straining ev'ry nerve, their skill express'd 6:349 In closest grapple, joining breast to breast: 6:350 When from the bending bow an arrow sent, 6:351 Joyn'd as they were, thro' both their bodies went: 6:352 Both groan'd, and writhing both their limbs with pain, 6:353 They fell together bleeding on the plain; 6:354 Then both their languid eye-balls faintly roul, 6:355 And thus together breathe away their soul. 6:356 With grief Alphenor saw their doleful plight, 6:357 And smote his breast, and sicken'd at the sight; 6:358 Then to their succour ran with eager haste, 6:359 And, fondly griev'd, their stiff'ning limbs embrac'd; 6:360 But in the action falls: a thrilling dart, 6:361 By Phoebus guided, pierc'd him to the heart. 6:362 This, as they drew it forth, his midriff tore, 6:363 Its barbed point the fleshy fragments bore, 6:364 And let the soul gush out in streams of purple gore. 6:365 But Damasichthon, by a double wound, 6:366 Beardless, and young, lay gasping on the ground. 6:367 Fix'd in his sinewy ham, the steely point 6:368 Stuck thro' his knee, and pierc'd the nervous joint: 6:369 And, as he stoop'd to tug the painful dart, 6:370 Another struck him in a vital part; 6:371 Shot thro' his wezon, by the wing it hung. 6:372 The life-blood forc'd it out, and darting upward sprung, 6:373 Ilioneus, the last, with terror stands, 6:374 Lifting in pray'r his unavailing hands; 6:375 And, ignorant from whom his griefs arise, 6:376 Spare me, o all ye heav'nly Pow'rs, he cries: 6:377 Phoebus was touch'd too late, the sounding bow 6:378 Had sent the shaft, and struck the fatal blow; 6:379 Which yet but gently gor'd his tender side, 6:380 So by a slight and easy wound he dy'd. 6:381 Swift to the mother's ears the rumour came, 6:382 And doleful sighs the heavy news proclaim; 6:383 With anger and surprize inflam'd by turns, 6:384 In furious rage her haughty stomach burns: 6:385 First she disputes th' effects of heav'nly pow'r, 6:386 Then at their daring boldness wonders more; 6:387 For poor Amphion with sore grief distrest, 6:388 Hoping to sooth his cares by endless rest, 6:389 Had sheath'd a dagger in his wretched breast. 6:390 And she, who toss'd her high disdainful head, 6:391 When thro' the streets in solemn pomp she led 6:392 The throng that from Latona's altar fled, 6:393 Assuming state beyond the proudest queen; 6:394 Was now the miserablest object seen. 6:395 Prostrate among the clay-cold dead she fell, 6:396 And kiss'd an undistinguish'd last farewel. 6:397 Then her pale arms advancing to the skies, 6:398 Cruel Latona! triumph now, she cries. 6:399 My grieving soul in bitter anguish drench, 6:400 And with my woes your thirsty passion quench; 6:401 Feast your black malice at a price thus dear, 6:402 While the sore pangs of sev'n such deaths I bear. 6:403 Triumph, too cruel rival, and display 6:404 Your conqu'ring standard; for you've won the day. 6:405 Yet I'll excel; for yet, tho' sev'n are slain, 6:406 Superior still in number I remain. 6:407 Scarce had she spoke; the bow-string's twanging sound 6:408 Was heard, and dealt fresh terrors all around; 6:409 Which all, but Niobe alone, confound. 6:410 Stunn'd, and obdurate by her load of grief, 6:411 Insensible she sits, nor hopes relief. 6:412 Before the fun'ral biers, all weeping sad, 6:413 Her daughters stood, in vests of sable clad, 6:414 When one, surpriz'd, and stung with sudden smart, 6:415 In vain attempts to draw the sticking dart: 6:416 But to grim death her blooming youth resigns, 6:417 And o'er her brother's corpse her dying head reclines. 6:418 This, to asswage her mother's anguish tries, 6:419 And, silenc'd in the pious action, dies; 6:420 Shot by a secret arrow, wing'd with death, 6:421 Her fault'ring lips but only gasp'd for breath. 6:422 One, on her dying sister, breathes her last; 6:423 Vainly in flight another's hopes are plac'd: 6:424 This hiding, from her fate a shelter seeks; 6:425 That trembling stands, and fills the air with shrieks. 6:426 And all in vain; for now all six had found 6:427 Their way to death, each by a diff'rent wound. 6:428 The last, with eager care the mother veil'd, 6:429 Behind her spreading mantle close conceal'd, 6:430 And with her body guarded, as a shield. 6:431 Only for this, this youngest, I implore, 6:432 Grant me this one request, I ask no more; 6:433 O grant me this! she passionately cries: 6:434 But while she speaks, the destin'd virgin dies. The Transformation of Niobe 6:435 Widow'd, and childless, lamentable state! 6:436 A doleful sight, among the dead she sate; 6:437 Harden'd with woes, a statue of despair, 6:438 To ev'ry breath of wind unmov'd her hair; 6:439 Her cheek still red'ning, but its colour dead, 6:440 Faded her eyes, and set within her head. 6:441 No more her pliant tongue its motion keeps, 6:442 But stands congeal'd within her frozen lips. 6:443 Stagnate, and dull, within her purple veins, 6:444 Its current stop'd, the lifeless blood remains. 6:445 Her feet their usual offices refuse, 6:446 Her arms, and neck their graceful gestures lose: 6:447 Action, and life from ev'ry part are gone, 6:448 And ev'n her entrails turn to solid stone; 6:449 Yet still she weeps, and whirl'd by stormy winds, 6:450 Born thro' the air, her native country finds; 6:451 There fix'd, she stands upon a bleaky hill, 6:452 There yet her marble cheeks eternal tears distil. The Peasants of Lycia transform'd to Frogs 6:453 Then all, reclaim'd by this example, show'd 6:454 A due regard for each peculiar God: 6:455 Both men, and women their devoirs express'd, 6:456 And great Latona's awful pow'r confess'd. 6:457 Then, tracing instances of older time, 6:458 To suit the nature of the present crime, 6:459 Thus one begins his tale.- Where Lycia yields 6:460 A golden harvest from its fertile fields, 6:461 Some churlish peasants, in the days of yore, 6:462 Provok'd the Goddess to exert her pow'r. 6:463 The thing indeed the meanness of the place 6:464 Has made obscure, surprizing as it was; 6:465 But I my self once happen'd to behold 6:466 This famous lake of which the story's told. 6:467 My father then, worn out by length of days, 6:468 Nor able to sustain the tedious ways, 6:469 Me with a guide had sent the plains to roam, 6:470 And drive his well-fed stragling heifers home. 6:471 Here, as we saunter'd thro' the verdant meads, 6:472 We spy'd a lake o'er-grown with trembling reeds, 6:473 Whose wavy tops an op'ning scene disclose, 6:474 From which an antique smoaky altar rose. 6:475 I, as my susperstitious guide had done, 6:476 Stop'd short, and bless'd my self, and then went on; 6:477 Yet I enquir'd to whom the altar stood, 6:478 Faunus, the Naids, or some native God? 6:479 No silvan deity, my friend replies, 6:480 Enshrin'd within this hallow'd altar lies. 6:481 For this, o youth, to that fam'd Goddess stands, 6:482 Whom, at th' imperial Juno's rough commands, 6:483 Of ev'ry quarter of the Earth bereav'd, 6:484 Delos, the floating isle, at length receiv'd. 6:485 Who there, in spite of enemies, brought forth, 6:486 Beneath an olive's shade, her great twin-birth. 6:487 Hence too she fled the furious stepdame's pow'r, 6:488 And in her arms a double godhead bore; 6:489 And now the borders of fair Lycia gain'd, 6:490 Just when the summer solstice parch'd the land. 6:491 With thirst the Goddess languishing, no more 6:492 Her empty'd breast would yield its milky store; 6:493 When, from below, the smiling valley show'd 6:494 A silver lake that in its bottom flow'd: 6:495 A sort of clowns were reaping, near the bank, 6:496 The bending osier, and the bullrush dank; 6:497 The cresse, and water-lilly, fragrant weed, 6:498 Whose juicy stalk the liquid fountains feed. 6:499 The Goddess came, and kneeling on the brink, 6:500 Stoop'd at the fresh repast, prepar'd to drink. 6:501 Then thus, being hinder'd by the rabble race, 6:502 In accents mild expostulates the case. 6:503 Water I only ask, and sure 'tis hard 6:504 From Nature's common rights to be debar'd: 6:505 This, as the genial sun, and vital air, 6:506 Should flow alike to ev'ry creature's share. 6:507 Yet still I ask, and as a favour crave, 6:508 That which, a publick bounty, Nature gave. 6:509 Nor do I seek my weary limbs to drench; 6:510 Only, with one cool draught, my thirst I'd quench. 6:511 Now from my throat the usual moisture dries, 6:512 And ev'n my voice in broken accents dies: 6:513 One draught as dear as life I should esteem, 6:514 And water, now I thirst, would nectar seem. 6:515 Oh! let my little babes your pity move, 6:516 And melt your hearts to charitable love; 6:517 They (as by chance they did) extend to you 6:518 Their little hands, and my request pursue. 6:519 Whom would these soft perswasions not subdue, 6:520 Tho' the most rustick, and unmanner'd crew? 6:521 Yet they the Goddess's request refuse, 6:522 And with rude words reproachfully abuse: 6:523 Nay more, with spiteful feet the villains trod 6:524 O'er the soft bottom of the marshy flood, 6:525 And blacken'd all the lake with clouds of rising mud. 6:526 Her thirst by indignation was suppress'd; 6:527 Bent on revenge, the Goddess stood confess'd. 6:528 Her suppliant hands uplifting to the skies, 6:529 For a redress, to Heav'n she now applies. 6:530 And, May you live, she passionately cry'd, 6:531 Doom'd in that pool for ever to abide. 6:532 The Goddess has her wish; for now they chuse 6:533 To plunge, and dive among the watry ooze; 6:534 Sometimes they shew their head above the brim, 6:535 And on the glassy surface spread to swim; 6:536 Often upon the bank their station take, 6:537 Then spring, and leap into the cooly lake. 6:538 Still, void of shame, they lead a clam'rous life, 6:539 And, croaking, still scold on in endless strife; 6:540 Compell'd to live beneath the liquid stream, 6:541 Where still they quarrel, and attempt to skream. 6:542 Now, from their bloated throat, their voice puts on 6:543 Imperfect murmurs in a hoarser tone; 6:544 Their noisy jaws, with bawling now grown wide, 6:545 An ugly sight! extend on either side: 6:546 Their motly back, streak'd with a list of green, 6:547 Joyn'd to their head, without a neck is seen; 6:548 And, with a belly broad and white, they look 6:549 Meer frogs, and still frequent the muddy brook. The Fate of Marsyas 6:550 Scarce had the man this famous story told, 6:551 Of vengeance on the Lycians shown of old, 6:552 When strait another pictures to their view 6:553 The Satyr's fate, whom angry Phoebus slew; 6:554 Who, rais'd with high conceit, and puff'd with pride, 6:555 At his own pipe the skilful God defy'd. 6:556 Why do you tear me from my self, he cries? 6:557 Ah cruel! must my skin be made the prize? 6:558 This for a silly pipe? he roaring said, 6:559 Mean-while the skin from off his limbs was flay'd. 6:560 All bare, and raw, one large continu'd wound, 6:561 With streams of blood his body bath'd the ground. 6:562 The blueish veins their trembling pulse disclos'd, 6:563 The stringy nerves lay naked, and expos'd; 6:564 His guts appear'd, distinctly each express'd, 6:565 With ev'ry shining fibre of his breast. 6:566 The Fauns, and Silvans, with the Nymphs that rove 6:567 Among the Satyrs in the shady grove; 6:568 Olympus, known of old, and ev'ry swain 6:569 That fed, or flock, or herd upon the plain, 6:570 Bewail'd the loss; and with their tears that flow'd, 6:571 A kindly moisture on the earth bestow'd; 6:572 That soon, conjoyn'd, and in a body rang'd, 6:573 Sprung from the ground, to limpid water chang'd; 6:574 Which, down thro' Phrygia's rocks, a mighty stream, 6:575 Comes tumbling to the sea, and Marsya is its name. The Story of Pelops 6:576 From these relations strait the people turn 6:577 To present truths, and lost Amphion mourn: 6:578 The mother most was blam'd, yet some relate 6:579 That Pelops pity'd, and bewail'd her fate, 6:580 And stript his cloaths, and laid his shoulder bare, 6:581 And made the iv'ry miracle appear. 6:582 This shoulder, from the first, was form'd of flesh, 6:583 As lively as the other, and as fresh; 6:584 But, when the youth was by his father slain, 6:585 The Gods restor'd his mangled limbs again; 6:586 Only that place which joins the neck and arm, 6:587 The rest untouch'd, was found to suffer harm: 6:588 The loss of which an iv'ry piece sustain'd; 6:589 And thus the youth his limbs, and life regain'd. The Story of Tereus, Procne, and Philomela 6:590 To Thebes the neighb'ring princes all repair, 6:591 And with condolance the misfortune share. 6:592 Each bord'ring state in solemn form address'd, 6:593 And each betimes a friendly grief express'd. 6:594 Argos, with Sparta's, and Mycenae's towns, 6:595 And Calydon, yet free from fierce Diana's frowns. 6:596 Corinth for finest brass well fam'd of old, 6:597 Orthomenos for men of courage bold: 6:598 Cleonae lying in the lowly dale, 6:599 And rich Messene with its fertile vale: 6:600 Pylos, for Nestor's City after fam'd, 6:601 And Troezen, not as yet from Pittheus nam'd. 6:602 And those fair cities, which are hem'd around 6:603 By double seas within the Isthmian ground; 6:604 And those, which farther from the sea-coast stand, 6:605 Lodg'd in the bosom of the spacious land. 6:606 Who can believe it? Athens was the last: 6:607 Tho' for politeness fam'd for ages past. 6:608 For a strait siege, which then their walls enclos'd, 6:609 Such acts of kind humanity oppos'd: 6:610 And thick with ships, from foreign nations bound, 6:611 Sea-ward their city lay invested round. 6:612 These, with auxiliar forces led from far, 6:613 Tereus of Thrace, brave, and inur'd to war, 6:614 Had quite defeated, and obtain'd a name, 6:615 The warrior's due, among the sons of Fame. 6:616 This, with his wealth, and pow'r, and ancient line, 6:617 From Mars deriv'd, Pandions's thoughts incline 6:618 His daughter Procne with the prince to joyn. 6:619 Nor Hymen, nor the Graces here preside, 6:620 Nor Juno to befriend the blooming bride; 6:621 But Fiends with fun'ral brands the process led,