The Transformations of Erisichthon's Daughter
8:1293 Now riches hoarded by paternal care
8:1294 Were sunk, the glutton swallowing
up the heir.
8:1295 Yet the devouring flame no
stores abate,
8:1296 Nor less his hunger grew with
his estate.
8:1297 One daughter left, as left
his keen desire,
8:1298 A daughter worthy of a better
sire:
8:1299 Her too he sold, spent Nature
to sustain;
8:1300 She scorn'd a lord with generous
disdain,
8:1301 And flying, spread her hand
upon the main.
8:1302 Then pray'd: Grant, thou, I
bondage may escape,
8:1303 And with my liberty reward
thy rape;
8:1304 Repay my virgin treasure with
thy aid
8:1305 ('Twas Neptune who deflower'd
the beauteous maid).
8:1306 The God was mov'd, at what the fair had
su'd,
8:1307 When she so lately by her master
view'd
8:1308 In her known figure, on a sudden
took
8:1309 A fisher's habit, and a manly
look.
8:1310 To whom her owner hasted to
enquire;
8:1311 O thou, said he, whose baits
hide treach'rous wire;
8:1312 Whose art can manage, and experienc'd
skill
8:1313 The taper angle, and the bobbing
quill,
8:1314 So may the sea be ruffled with
no storm,
8:1315 But smooth with calms, as you
the truth inform;
8:1316 So your deceit may no shy fishes
feel,
8:1317 'Till struck, and fasten'd
on the bearded steel.
8:1318 Did not you standing view upon
the strand,
8:1319 A wand'ring maid? I'm sure
I saw her stand;
8:1320 Her hair disorder'd, and her
homely dress
8:1321 Betray'd her want, and witness'd
her distress.
8:1322 Me heedless, she reply'd, whoe'er you are
8:1323 Excuse, attentive to another
care.
8:1324 I settled on the deep my steady
eye;
8:1325 Fix'd on my float, and bent
on my employ.
8:1326 And that you may not doubt
what I impart,
8:1327 So may the ocean's God assist
my art,
8:1328 If on the beach since I my
sport pursu'd,
8:1329 Or man, or woman but my self
I view'd.
8:1330 Back o'er the sands, deluded,
he withdrew,
8:1331 Whilst she for her old form
put off her new.
8:1332 Her sire her shifting pow'r to change perceiv'd;
8:1333 And various chapmen by her
sale deceiv'd.
8:1334 A fowl with spangled plumes,
a brinded steer,
8:1335 Sometimes a crested mare, or
antler'd deer:
8:1336 Sold for a price, she parted,
to maintain
8:1337 Her starving parent with dishonest
gain.
8:1338 At last all means, as all provisions, fail'd;
8:1339 For the disease by remedies
prevail'd;
8:1340 His muscles with a furious
bite he tore,
8:1341 Gorg'd his own tatter'd flesh,
and gulph'd his gore.
8:1342 Wounds were his feast, his
life to life a prey,
8:1343 Supporting Nature by its own
decay.
8:1344 But foreign stories why shou'd I relate?
8:1345 I too my self can to new forms
translate,
8:1346 Tho' the variety's not unconfin'd,
8:1347 But fix'd, in number, and restrain'd
in kind:
8:1348 For often I this present shape
retain,
8:1349 Oft curl a snake the volumes
of my train.
8:1350 Sometimes my strength into
my horns transfer'd,
8:1351 A bull I march, the captain
of the herd.
8:1352 But whilst I once those goring
weapons wore,
8:1353 Vast wresting force one from
my forehead tore.
8:1354 Lo, my maim'd brows the injury
still own;
8:1355 He ceas'd; his words concluding
with a groan.
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