BOOK THE SEVENTH
The Story of Medea and Jason
7:1 The Argonauts now stemm'd the foaming tide,
7:2 And to Arcadia's shore their course
apply'd;
7:3 Where sightless Phineus spent his
age in grief,
7:4 But Boreas' sons engage in his relief;
7:5 And those unwelcome guests, the odious
race
7:6 Of Harpyes, from the monarch's table
chase.
7:7 With Jason then they greater toils
sustain,
7:8 And Phasis' slimy banks at last they
gain,
7:9 Here boldly they demand the golden
prize
7:10 Of Scythia's king, who sternly
thus replies:
7:11 That mighty labours they must first
o'ercome,
7:12 Or sail their Argo thence unfreighted
home.
7:13 Meanwhile Medea, seiz'd with fierce
desire,
7:14 By reason strives to quench the
raging fire;
7:15 But strives in vain!-Some God (she
said) withstands,
7:16 And reason's baffl'd council countermands.
7:17 What unseen Pow'r does this disorder
move?
7:18 'Tis love,-at least 'tis like,
what men call love.
7:19 Else wherefore shou'd the king's
commands appear
7:20 To me too hard?-But so indeed they
are.
7:21 Why shou'd I for a stranger fear,
lest he
7:22 Shou'd perish, whom I did but lately
see?
7:23 His death, or safety, what are
they to me?
7:24 Wretch, from thy virgin-breast
this flame expel,
7:25 And soon-Oh cou'd I, all wou'd
then be well!
7:26 But love, resistless love, my soul
invades;
7:27 Discretion this, affection that
perswades.
7:28 I see the right, and I approve
it too,
7:29 Condemn the wrong-and yet the wrong
pursue.
7:30 Why, royal maid, shou'dst thou
desire to wed
7:31 A wanderer, and court a foreign
bed?
7:32 Thy native land, tho' barb'rous,
can present
7:33 A bridegroom worth a royal bride's
content:
7:34 And whether this advent'rer lives,
or dies,
7:35 In Fate, and Fortune's fickle pleasure
lies.
7:36 Yet may be live! for to the Pow'rs
above,
7:37 A virgin, led by no impulse of
love,
7:38 So just a suit may, for the guiltless,
move.
7:39 Whom wou'd not Jason's valour,
youth and blood
7:40 Invite? or cou'd these merits be
withstood,
7:41 At least his charming person must
encline
7:42 The hardest heart-I'm sure 'tis
so with mine!
7:43 Yet, if I help him not, the flaming
breath
7:44 Of bulls, and earth-born foes,
must be his death.
7:45 Or, should he through these dangers
force his way,
7:46 At last he must be made the dragon's
prey.
7:47 If no remorse for such distress
I feel,
7:48 I am a tigress, and my breast is
steel.
7:49 Why do I scruple then to see him
slain,
7:50 And with the tragick scene my eyes
prophane?
7:51 My magick's art employ, not to
asswage
7:52 The Salvages, but to enflame their
rage?
7:53 His earth-born foes to fiercer
fury move,
7:54 And accessary to his murder prove?
7:55 The Gods forbid-But pray'rs are
idle breath,
7:56 When action only can prevent his
death.
7:57 Shall I betray my father, and the
state,
7:58 To intercept a rambling hero's
fate;
7:59 Who may sail off next hour, and
sav'd from harms
7:60 By my assistance, bless another's
arms?
7:61 Whilst I, not only of my hopes
bereft,
7:62 But to unpity'd punishment am left.
7:63 If he is false, let the ingrateful
bleed!
7:64 But no such symptom in his looks
I read.
7:65 Nature wou'd ne'er have lavish'd
so much grace
7:66 Upon his person, if his soul were
base.
7:67 Besides, he first shall plight
his faith, and swear
7:68 By all the Gods; what therefore
can'st thou fear?
7:69 Medea haste, from danger set him
free,
7:70 Jason shall thy eternal debtor
be.
7:71 And thou, his queen, with sov'raign
state enstall'd,
7:72 By Graecian dames the Kind Preserver
call'd.
7:73 Hence idle dreams, by love-sick
fancy bred!
7:74 Wilt thou, Medea, by vain wishes
led,
7:75 To sister, brother, father bid
adieu?
7:76 Forsake thy country's Gods, and
country too?
7:77 My father's harsh, my brother but
a child,
7:78 My sister rivals me, my country's
wild;
7:79 And for its Gods, the greatest
of 'em all
7:80 Inspires my breast, and I obey
his call.
7:81 That great endearments I forsake,
is true,
7:82 But greater far the hopes that
I pursue:
7:83 The pride of having sav'd the youths
of Greece
7:84 (Each life more precious than our
golden fleece);
7:85 A nobler soil by me shall be possest,
7:86 I shall see towns with arts and
manners blest;
7:87 And, what I prize above the world
beside,
7:88 Enjoy my Jason-and when once his
bride,
7:89 Be more than mortal, and to Gods
ally'd.
7:90 They talk of hazards I must first
sustain,
7:91 Of floating islands justling in
the main;
7:92 Our tender barque expos'd to dreadful
shocks
7:93 Of fierce Charybdis' gulf, and
Scylla's rocks,
7:94 Where breaking waves in whirling
eddies rowl,
7:95 And rav'nous dogs that in deep
caverns howl:
7:96 Amidst these terrors, while I lye
possest
7:97 Of him I love, and lean on Jason's
breast,
7:98 In tempests unconcern'd I will
appear,
7:99 Or, only for my husband's safety
fear.
7:100 Didst thou say husband?-canst
thou so deceive
7:101 Thy self, fond maid, and thy
own cheat believe?
7:102 In vain thou striv'st to varnish
o'er thy shame,
7:103 And grace thy guilt with wedlock's
sacred name.
7:104 Pull off the coz'ning masque,
and oh! in time
7:105 Discover and avoid the fatal
crime.
7:106 She ceas'd-the Graces now, with
kind surprize,
7:107 And virtue's lovely train, before
her eyes
7:108 Present themselves, and vanquish'd
Cupid flies.
7:109 She then retires to Hecate's shrine, that
stood
7:110 Far in the covert of a shady
wood:
7:111 She finds the fury of her flames
asswag'd,
7:112 But, seeing Jason there, again
they rag'd.
7:113 Blushes, and paleness did by
turns invade
7:114 Her tender cheeks, and secret
grief betray'd.
7:115 As fire, that sleeping under
ashes lyes,
7:116 Fresh-blown, and rous'd, does
up in blazes rise,
7:117 So flam'd the virgin's breast-
7:118 New kindled by her lover's sparkling
eyes.
7:119 For chance, that day, had with
uncommon grace
7:120 Adorn'd the lovely youth, and
through his face
7:121 Display'd an air so pleasing
as might charm
7:122 A Goddess, and a Vestal's bosom
warm.
7:123 Her ravish'd eyes survey him
o'er and o'er,
7:124 As some gay wonder never seen
before;
7:125 Transported to the skies she
seems to be,
7:126 And thinks she gazes on a deity.
7:127 But when he spoke, and prest
her trembling hand,
7:128 And did with tender words her
aid demand,
7:129 With vows, and oaths to make
her soon his bride,
7:130 She wept a flood of tears, and
thus reply'd:
7:131 I see my error, yet to ruin move,
7:132 Nor owe my fate to ignorance,
but love:
7:133 Your life I'll guard, and only
crave of you
7:134 To swear once more-and to your
oath be true.
7:135 He swears by Hecate he would
all fulfil,
7:136 And by her grandfather's prophetick
skill,
7:137 By ev'ry thing that doubting
love cou'd press,
7:138 His present danger, and desir'd
success.
7:139 She credits him, and kindly does
produce
7:140 Enchanted herbs, and teaches
him their use:
7:141 Their mystick names, and virtues
he admires,
7:142 And with his booty joyfully retires.
The Dragon's Teeth transform'd to Men
7:143 Impatient for the wonders of the day,
7:144 Aurora drives the loyt'ring stars
away.
7:145 Now Mars's mount the pressing
people fill,
7:146 The crowd below, the nobles crown
the hill;
7:147 The king himself high-thron'd
above the rest,
7:148 With iv'ry scepter, and in purple
drest.
7:149 Forthwith the brass-hoof'd bulls are set
at large,
7:150 Whose furious nostrils sulph'rous
flame discharge:
7:151 The blasted herbage by their
breath expires;
7:152 As forges rumble with excessive
fires,
7:153 And furnaces with fiercer fury
glow,
7:154 When water on the panting mass
ye throw;
7:155 With such a noise, from their
convulsive breast,
7:156 Thro' bellowing throats, the
struggling vapour prest.
7:157 Yet Jason marches up without concern,
7:158 While on th' advent'rous youth
the monsters turn
7:159 Their glaring eyes, and, eager
to engage,
7:160 Brandish their steel-tipt horns
in threatning rage:
7:161 With brazen hoofs they beat the
ground, and choak
7:162 The ambient air with clouds of
dust and smoak:
7:163 Each gazing Graecian for his
champion shakes,
7:164 While bold advances he securely
makes
7:165 Thro' sindging blasts; such wonders
magick art
7:166 Can work, when love conspires,
and plays his part.
7:167 The passive savages like statues
stand,
7:168 While he their dew-laps stroaks
with soothing hand;
7:169 To unknown yokes their brawny
necks they yield,
7:170 And, like tame oxen, plow the
wond'ring field.
7:171 The Colchians stare; the Graecians
shout, and raise
7:172 Their champion's courage with
inspiring praise.
7:173 Embolden'd now, on fresh attempts he goes,
7:174 With serpent's teeth the fertile
furrows sows;
7:175 The glebe, fermenting with inchanted
juice,
7:176 Makes the snake's teeth a human
crop produce.
7:177 For as an infant, pris'ner to
the womb,
7:178 Contented sleeps, 'till to perfection
come,
7:179 Then does the cell's obscure
confinement scorn,
7:180 He tosses, throbs, and presses
to be born;
7:181 So from the lab'ring Earth no
single birth,
7:182 But a whole troop of lusty youths
rush forth;
7:183 And, what's more strange, with
martial fury warm'd,
7:184 And for encounter all compleatly
arm'd;
7:185 In rank and file, as they were
sow'd, they stand,
7:186 Impatient for the signal of command.
7:187 No foe but the Aemonian youth
appears;
7:188 At him they level their steel-pointed
spears;
7:189 His frighted friends, who triumph'd,
just before,
7:190 With peals of sighs his desp'rate
case deplore:
7:191 And where such hardy warriors
are afraid,
7:192 What must the tender, and enamour'd
maid?
7:193 Her spirits sink, the blood her
cheek forsook;
7:194 She fears, who for his safety
undertook:
7:195 She knew the vertue of the spells
she gave,
7:196 She knew the force, and knew
her lover brave;
7:197 But what's a single champion
to an host?
7:198 Yet scorning thus to see him
tamely lost,
7:199 Her strong reserve of secret
arts she brings,
7:200 And last, her never-failing song
she sings.
7:201 Wonders ensue; among his gazing
foes
7:202 The massy fragment of a rock
he throws;
7:203 This charm in civil war engag'd
'em all;
7:204 By mutual wounds those Earth-born
brothers fall.
7:205 The Greeks, transported with the strange
success,
7:206 Leap from their seats the conqu'ror
to caress;
7:207 Commend, and kiss, and clasp
him in their arms:
7:208 So would the kind contriver of
the charms;
7:209 But her, who felt the tenderest
concern,
7:210 Honour condemns in secret flames
to burn;
7:211 Committed to a double guard of
fame,
7:212 Aw'd by a virgin's, and a princess'
name.
7:213 But thoughts are free, and fancy
unconfin'd,
7:214 She kisses, courts, and hugs
him in her mind;
7:215 To fav'ring Pow'rs her silent
thanks she gives,
7:216 By whose indulgence her lov'd
hero lives.
7:217 One labour more remains, and, tho' the last,
7:218 In danger far surmounting all
the past;
7:219 That enterprize by Fates in store
was kept,
7:220 To make the dragon sleep that
never slept,
7:221 Whose crest shoots dreadful lustre;
from his jaws
7:222 A tripple tire of forked stings
he draws,
7:223 With fangs, and wings of a prodigious
size:
7:224 Such was the guardian of the
golden prize.
7:225 Yet him, besprinkled with Lethaean
dew,
7:226 The fair inchantress into slumber
threw;
7:227 And then, to fix him, thrice
she did repeat
7:228 The rhyme, that makes the raging
winds retreat,
7:229 In stormy seas can halcyon seasons
make,
7:230 Turn rapid streams into a standing
lake;
7:231 While the soft guest his drowzy
eye-lids seals,
7:232 Th' ungarded golden fleece the
stranger steals;
7:233 Proud to possess the purchase
of his toil,
7:234 Proud of his royal bride, the
richer spoil;
7:235 To sea both prize, and patroness
he bore,
7:236 And lands triumphant on his native
shore.
Old Aeson restor'd to Youth
7:237 Aemonian matrons, who their absence mourn'd,
7:238 Rejoyce to see their prosp'rous
sons return'd:
7:239 Rich curling fumes of incense
feast the skies,
7:240 An hecatomb of voted victims
dies,
7:241 With gilded horns, and garlands
on their head,
7:242 And all the pomp of death, to
th' altar led.
7:243 Congratulating bowls go briskly
round,
7:244 Triumphant shouts in louder musick
drown'd.
7:245 Amidst these revels, why that
cloud of care
7:246 On Jason's brow? (to whom the
largest share
7:247 Of mirth was due)-His father
was not there.
7:248 Aeson was absent, once the young,
and brave,
7:249 Now crush'd with years, and bending
to the grave.
7:250 At last withdrawn, and by the
crowd unseen,
7:251 Pressing her hand (with starting
sighs between),
7:252 He supplicates his kind, and
skilful queen.
7:253 O patroness! preserver of my life!
7:254 (Dear when my mistress, and much
dearer wife)
7:255 Your favours to so vast a sum
amount,
7:256 'Tis past the pow'r of numbers
to recount;
7:257 Or cou'd they be to computation
brought,
7:258 The history would a romance be
thought:
7:259 And yet, unless you add one favour
more,
7:260 Greater than all that you conferr'd
before,
7:261 But not too hard for love and
magick skill,
7:262 Your past are thrown away, and
Jason's wretched still.
7:263 The morning of my life is just
begun,
7:264 But my declining father's race
is run;
7:265 From my large stock retrench
the long arrears,
7:266 And add 'em to expiring Aeson's
years.
7:267 Thus spake the gen'rous youth, and wept the
rest.
7:268 Mov'd with the piety of his request,
7:269 To his ag'd sire such filial
duty shown,
7:270 So diff'rent from her treatment
of her own,
7:271 But still endeav'ring her remorse
to hide,
7:272 She check'd her rising sighs,
and thus reply'd.
7:273 How cou'd the thought of such inhuman wrong
7:274 Escape (said she) from pious
Jason's tongue?
7:275 Does the whole world another
Jason bear,
7:276 Whose life Medea can to yours
prefer?
7:277 Or cou'd I with so dire a change
dispence,
7:278 Hecate will never join in that
offence:
7:279 Unjust is the request you make,
and I
7:280 In kindness your petition shall
deny;
7:281 Yet she that grants not what
you do implore,
7:282 Shall yet essay to give her Jason
more;
7:283 Find means t' encrease the stock
of Aeson's years,
7:284 Without retrenchment of your
life's arrears;
7:285 Provided that the triple Goddess
join
7:286 A strong confed'rate in my bold
design.
7:287 Thus was her enterprize resolv'd; but still
7:288 Three tedious nights are wanting
to fulfil
7:289 The circling crescents of th'
encreasing moon;
7:290 Then, in the height of her nocturnal
noon,
7:291 Medea steals from court; her
ankles bare,
7:292 Her garments closely girt, but
loose her hair;
7:293 Thus sally'd, like a solitary
sprite,
7:294 She traverses the terrors of
the night.
7:295 Men, beasts, and birds in soft repose lay
charm'd,
7:296 No boistrous wind the mountain-woods
alarm'd;
7:297 Nor did those walks of love,
the myrtle-trees,
7:298 Of am'rous Zephir hear the whisp'ring
breeze;
7:299 All elements chain'd in unactive
rest,
7:300 No sense but what the twinkling
stars exprest;
7:301 To them (that only wak'd) she
rears her arm,
7:302 And thus commences her mysterious
charms.
7:303 She turn'd her thrice about, as oft she threw
7:304 On her pale tresses the nocturnal
dew;
7:305 Then yelling thrice a most enormous
sound,
7:306 Her bare knee bended on the flinty
ground.
7:307 O night (said she) thou confident
and guide
7:308 Of secrets, such as darkness
ought to hide;
7:309 Ye stars and moon, that, when
the sun retires,
7:310 Support his empire with succeeding
fires;
7:311 And thou, great Hecate, friend
to my design;
7:312 Songs, mutt'ring spells, your
magick forces join;
7:313 And thou, O Earth, the magazine
that yields
7:314 The midnight sorcerer drugs;
skies, mountains, fields;
7:315 Ye wat'ry Pow'rs of fountain,
stream, and lake;
7:316 Ye sylvan Gods, and Gods of night,
awake,
7:317 And gen'rously your parts in
my adventure take.
7:318 Oft by your aid swift currents I have led
7:319 Thro' wand'ring banks, back to
their fountain head;
7:320 Transformed the prospect of the
briny deep,
7:321 Made sleeping billows rave, and
raving billows sleep;
7:322 Made clouds, or sunshine; tempests
rise, or fall;
7:323 And stubborn lawless winds obey
my call:
7:324 With mutter'd words disarm'd
the viper's jaw;
7:325 Up by the roots vast oaks, and
rocks cou'd draw,
7:326 Make forests dance, and trembling
mountains come,
7:327 Like malefactors, to receive
their doom;
7:328 Earth groan, and frighted ghosts
forsake their tomb.
7:329 Thee, Cynthia, my resistless
rhymes drew down,
7:330 When tinkling cymbals strove
my voice to drown;
7:331 Nor stronger Titan could their
force sustain,
7:332 In full career compell'd to stop
his wain:
7:333 Nor could Aurora's virgin blush
avail,
7:334 With pois'nous herbs I turn'd
her roses pale;
7:335 The fury of the fiery bulls I
broke,
7:336 Their stubborn necks submitting
to my yoke;
7:337 And when the sons of Earth with
fury burn'd,
7:338 Their hostile rage upon themselves
I turn'd;
7:339 The brothers made with mutual
wounds to bleed,
7:340 And by their fatal strife my
lover freed;
7:341 And, while the dragon slept,
to distant Greece,
7:342 Thro' cheated guards, convey'd
the golden fleece.
7:343 But now to bolder action I proceed,
7:344 Of such prevailing juices now
have need,
7:345 That wither'd years back to their
bloom can bring,
7:346 And in dead winter raise a second
spring.
7:347 And you'll perform't-
7:348 You will; for lo! the stars,
with sparkling fires,
7:349 Presage as bright success to
my desires:
7:350 And now another happy omen see!
7:351 A chariot drawn by dragons waits
for me.
7:352 With these last words he leaps into the wain,
7:353 Stroaks the snakes' necks, and
shakes the golden rein;
7:354 That signal giv'n, they mount
her to the skies,
7:355 And now beneath her fruitful
Tempe lies,
7:356 Whose stories she ransacks, then
to Crete she flies;
7:357 There Ossa, Pelion, Othrys, Pindus,
all
7:358 To the fair ravisher, a booty
fall;
7:359 The tribute of their verdure
she collects,
7:360 Nor proud Olympus' height his
plants protects.
7:361 Some by the roots she plucks;
the tender tops
7:362 Of others with her culling sickle
crops.
7:363 Nor could the plunder of the
hills suffice,
7:364 Down to the humble vales, and
meads she flies;
7:365 Apidanus, Amphrysus, the next
rape
7:366 Sustain, nor could Enipeus' bank
escape;
7:367 Thro' Beebe's marsh, and thro'
the border rang'd
7:368 Whose pasture Glaucus to a Triton
chang'd.
7:369 Now the ninth day, and ninth successive night,
7:370 Had wonder'd at the restless
rover's flight;
7:371 Mean-while her dragons, fed with
no repast,
7:372 But her exhaling simples od'rous
blast,
7:373 Their tarnish'd scales, and wrinkled
skins had cast.
7:374 At last return'd before her palace
gate,
7:375 Quitting her chariot, on the
ground she sate;
7:376 The sky her only canopy of state.
7:377 All conversation with her sex
she fled,
7:378 Shun'd the caresses of the nuptial
bed:
7:379 Two altars next of grassy turf
she rears,
7:380 This Hecate's name, that Youth's
inscription bears;
7:381 With forest-boughs, and vervain
these she crown'd;
7:382 Then delves a double trench in
lower ground,
7:383 And sticks a black-fleec'd ram,
that ready stood,
7:384 And drench'd the ditches with
devoted blood:
7:385 New wine she pours, and milk
from th' udder warm,
7:386 With mystick murmurs to compleat
the charm,
7:387 And subterranean deities alarm.
7:388 To the stern king of ghosts she
next apply'd,
7:389 And gentle Proserpine, his ravish'd
bride,
7:390 That for old Aeson with the laws
of Fate
7:391 They would dispense, and lengthen
his short date;
7:392 Thus with repeated pray'rs she long assails
7:393 Th' infernal tyrant and at last
prevails;
7:394 Then calls to have decrepit Aeson
brought,
7:395 And stupifies him with a sleeping
draught;
7:396 On Earth his body, like a corpse,
extends,
7:397 Then charges Jason and his waiting
friends
7:398 To quit the place, that no unhallow'd
eye
7:399 Into her art's forbidden secrets
pry.
7:400 This done, th' inchantress, with
her locks unbound,
7:401 About her altars trips a frantick
round;
7:402 Piece-meal the consecrated wood
she splits,
7:403 And dips the splinters in the
bloody pits,
7:404 Then hurles 'em on the piles;
the sleeping sire
7:405 She lustrates thrice, with sulphur,
water, fire.
7:406 In a large cauldron now the med'cine boils,
7:407 Compounded of her late-collected
spoils,
7:408 Blending into the mesh the various
pow'rs
7:409 Of wonder-working juices, roots,
and flow'rs;
7:410 With gems i' th' eastern ocean's
cell refin'd,
7:411 And such as ebbing tides had
left behind;
7:412 To them the midnight's pearly
dew she flings,
7:413 A scretch-owl's carcase, and
ill boding wings;
7:414 Nor could the wizard wolf's warm
entrails scape
7:415 (That wolf who counterfeits a
human shape).
7:416 Then, from the bottom of her
conj'ring bag,
7:417 Snakes' skins, and liver of a
long-liv'd stag;
7:418 Last a crow's head to such an
age arriv'd,
7:419 That he had now nine centuries
surviv'd;
7:420 These, and with these a thousand
more that grew
7:421 In sundry soils, into her pot
she threw;
7:422 Then with a wither'd olive-bough
she rakes
7:423 The bubling broth; the bough
fresh verdure takes;
7:424 Green leaves at first the perish'd
plant surround,
7:425 Which the next minute with ripe
fruit were crown'd.
7:426 The foaming juices now the brink
o'er-swell;
7:427 The barren heath, where-e'er
the liquor fell,
7:428 Sprang out with vernal grass,
and all the pride
7:429 Of blooming May-When this Medea
spy'd,
7:430 She cuts her patient's throat;
th' exhausted blood
7:431 Recruiting with her new enchanted
flood;
7:432 While at his mouth, and thro'
his op'ning wound,
7:433 A double inlet her infusion found;
7:434 His feeble frame resumes a youthful
air,
7:435 A glossy brown his hoary beard
and hair.
7:436 The meager paleness from his
aspect fled,
7:437 And in its room sprang up a florid
red;
7:438 Thro' all his limbs a youthful
vigour flies,
7:439 His empty'd art'ries swell with
fresh supplies:
7:440 Gazing spectators scarce believe
their eyes.
7:441 But Aeson is the most surpriz'd
to find
7:442 A happy change in body and in
mind;
7:443 In sense and constitution the
same man,
7:444 As when his fortieth active year
began.
7:445 Bacchus, who from the clouds this wonder
view'd,
7:446 Medea's method instantly pursu'd,
7:447 And his indulgent nurse's youth
renew'd.
The Death of Pelias
7:448 Thus far obliging love employ'd her art,
7:449 But now revenge must act a tragick
part;
7:450 Medea feigns a mortal quarrel
bred
7:451 Betwixt her, and the partner
of her bed;
7:452 On this pretence to Pelias' court
she flies,
7:453 Who languishing with age and
sickness lies:
7:454 His guiltless daughters, with
inveigling wiles,
7:455 And well dissembled friendship,
she beguiles:
7:456 The strange achievements of her
art she tells,
7:457 With Aeson's cure, and long on
that she dwells,
7:458 'Till them to firm perswasion
she has won,
7:459 The same for their old father
may be done:
7:460 For him they court her to employ
her skill,
7:461 And put upon the cure what price
she will.
7:462 At first she's mute, and with
a grave pretence
7:463 Of difficulty, holds 'em in suspense;
7:464 Then promises, and bids 'em,
from the fold
7:465 Chuse out a ram, the most infirm
and old;
7:466 That so by fact their doubts
may be remov'd,
7:467 And first on him the operation
prov'd.
7:468 A wreath-horn'd ram is brought, so far o'er-grown
7:469 With years, his age was to that
age unknown
7:470 Of sense too dull the piercing
point to feel,
7:471 And scarce sufficient blood to
stain the steel.
7:472 His carcass she into a cauldron
threw,
7:473 With drugs whose vital qualities
she knew;
7:474 His limbs grow less, he casts
his horns, and years,
7:475 And tender bleatings strike their
wond'ring ears.
7:476 Then instantly leaps forth a
frisking lamb,
7:477 That seeks (too young to graze)
a suckling dam.
7:478 The sisters, thus confirm'd with the success,
7:479 Her promise with renew'd entreaty
press;
7:480 To countenance the cheat, three
nights and days
7:481 Before experiment th' inchantress
stays;
7:482 Then into limpid water, from
the springs,
7:483 Weeds, and ingredients of no
force she flings;
7:484 With antique ceremonies for pretence
7:485 And rambling rhymes without a
word of sense.
7:486 Mean-while the king with all his guards lay
bound
7:487 In magick sleep, scarce that
of death so sound;
7:488 The daughters now are by the
sorc'ress led
7:489 Into his chamber, and surround
his bed.
7:490 Your father's health's concern'd,
and can ye stay?
7:491 Unnat'ral nymphs, why this unkind
delay?
7:492 Unsheath your swords, dismiss
his lifeless blood,
7:493 And I'll recruit it with a vital
flood:
7:494 Your father's life and health
is in your hand,
7:495 And can ye thus like idle gazers
stand?
7:496 Unless you are of common sense
bereft,
7:497 If yet one spark of piety is
left,
7:498 Dispatch a father's cure, and
disengage
7:499 The monarch from his toilsome
load of age:
7:500 Come-drench your weapons in his
putrid gore;
7:501 'Tis charity to wound, when wounding
will restore.
7:502 Thus urg'd, the poor deluded maids proceed,
7:503 Betray'd by zeal, to an inhumane
deed,
7:504 And, in compassion, make a father
bleed.
7:505 Yes, she who had the kindest,
tend'rest heart,
7:506 Is foremost to perform the bloody
part.
7:507 Yet, tho' to act the butchery betray'd,
7:508 They could not bear to see the
wounds they made;
7:509 With looks averted, backward
they advance,
7:510 Then strike, and stab, and leave
the blows to chance.
7:511 Waking in consternation, he essays
7:512 (Weltring in blood) his feeble
arms to raise:
7:513 Environ'd with so many swords-From
whence
7:514 This barb'rous usage? what is
my offence?
7:515 What fatal fury, what infernal
charm,
7:516 'Gainst a kind father does his
daughters arm?
7:517 Hearing his voice, as thunder-struck they
stopt,
7:518 Their resolution, and their weapons
dropt:
7:519 Medea then the mortal blow bestows,
7:520 And that perform'd, the tragick
scene to close,
7:521 His corpse into the boiling cauldron
throws.
7:522 Then, dreading the revenge that must ensue,
7:523 High mounted on her dragon-coach
she flew;
7:524 And in her stately progress thro'
the skies,
7:525 Beneath her shady Pelion first
she spies,
7:526 With Othrys, that above the clouds
did rise;
7:527 With skilful Chiron's cave, and
neighb'ring ground,
7:528 For old Cerambus' strange escape
renown'd,
7:529 By nymphs deliver'd, when the
world was drown'd;
7:530 Who him with unexpected wings
supply'd,
7:531 When delug'd hills a safe retreat
deny'd.
7:532 Aeolian Pitane on her left hand
7:533 She saw, and there the statu'd
dragon stand;
7:534 With Ida's grove, where Bacchus,
to disguise
7:535 His son's bold theft, and to
secure the prize,
7:536 Made the stoln steer a stag to
represent;
7:537 Cocytus' father's sandy monument;
7:538 And fields that held the murder'd
sire's remains,
7:539 Where howling Moera frights the
startled plains.
7:540 Euryphilus' high town, with tow'rs
defac'd
7:541 By Hercules, and matrons more
disgrac'd
7:542 With sprouting horns, in signal
punishment,
7:543 From Juno, or resenting Venus
sent.
7:544 Then Rhodes, which Phoebus did
so dearly prize,
7:545 And Jove no less severely did
chastize;
7:546 For he the wizard native's pois'ning
sight,
7:547 That us'd the farmer's hopeful
crops to blight,
7:548 In rage o'erwhelm'd with everlasting
night.
7:549 Cartheia's ancient walls come
next in view,
7:550 Where once the sire almost a
statue grew
7:551 With wonder, which a strange
event did move,
7:552 His daughter turn'd into a turtle-dove.
7:553 Then Hyrie's lake, and Tempe's
field o'er-ran,
7:554 Fam'd for the boy who there became
a swan;
7:555 For there enamour'd Phyllius,
like a slave,
7:556 Perform'd what tasks his paramour
would crave.
7:557 For presents he had mountain-vultures
caught,
7:558 And from the desart a tame lion
brought;
7:559 Then a wild bull commanded to
subdue,
7:560 The conquer'd savage by the horns
he drew;
7:561 But, mock'd so oft, the treatment
he disdains,
7:562 And from the craving boy this
prize detains.
7:563 Then thus in choler the resenting
lad:
7:564 Won't you deliver him?-You'll
wish you had:
7:565 Nor sooner said, but, in a peevish
mood,
7:566 Leapt from the precipice on which
he stood:
7:567 The standers-by were struck with
fresh surprize,
7:568 Instead of falling, to behold
him rise
7:569 A snowy swan, and soaring to
the skies.
7:570 But dearly the rash prank his mother cost,
7:571 Who ignorantly gave her son for
lost;
7:572 For his misfortune wept, 'till
she became
7:573 A lake, and still renown'd with
Hyrie's name.
7:574 Thence to Latona's isle, where
once were seen,
7:575 Transform'd to birds, a monarch,
and his queen.
7:576 Far off she saw how old Cephisus
mourn'd
7:577 His son, into a seele by Phoebus
turn'd;
7:578 And where, astonish'd at a stranger
sight,
7:579 Eumelus gaz'd on his wing'd daughter's
flight.
7:580 Aetolian Pleuron she did next
survey,
7:581 Where sons a mother's murder
did essay,
7:582 But sudden plumes the matron
bore away.
7:583 On her right hand, Cyllene, a
fair soil,
7:584 Fair, 'till Menephron there the
beauteous hill
7:585 Attempted with foul incest to
defile.
7:586 Her harness'd dragons now direct she drives
7:587 For Corinth, and at Corinth she
arrives;
7:588 Where, if what old tradition
tells, be true,
7:589 In former ages men from mushrooms
grew.
7:590 But here Medea finds her bed supply'd,
7:591 During her absence, by another
bride;
7:592 And hopeless to recover her lost
game,
7:593 She sets both bride and palace
in a flame.
7:594 Nor could a rival's death her
wrath asswage,
7:595 Nor stopt at Creon's family her
rage,
7:596 She murders her own infants,
in despight
7:597 To faithless Jason, and in Jason's
sight;
7:598 Yet e'er his sword could reach
her, up she springs,
7:599 Securely mounted on her dragon's
wings.
The Story of Aegeus
7:600 From hence to Athens she directs her flight,
7:601 Where Phineus, so renown'd for
doing right;
7:602 Where Periphas, and Polyphemon's
neece,
7:603 Soaring with sudden plumes amaz'd
the towns of Greece.
7:604 Here Aegeus so engaging she addrest,
7:605 That first he treats her like
a royal guest;
7:606 Then takes the sorc'ress for
his wedded wife;
7:607 The only blemish of his prudent
life.
7:608 Mean-while his son, from actions of renown,
7:609 Arrives at court, but to his
sire unknown.
7:610 Medea, to dispatch a dang'rous
heir
7:611 (She knew him), did a pois'nous
draught prepare;
7:612 Drawn from a drug, was long reserv'd
in store
7:613 For desp'rate uses, from the
Scythian shore;
7:614 That from the Echydnaean monster's
jaws
7:615 Deriv'd its origin, and this
the cause.
7:616 Thro' a dark cave a craggy passage lies,
7:617 To ours, ascending from the nether
skies;
7:618 Thro' which, by strength of hand,
Alcides drew
7:619 Chain'd Cerberus, who lagg'd,
and restive grew,
7:620 With his blear'd eyes our brighter
day to view.
7:621 Thrice he repeated his enormous
yell,
7:622 With which he scares the ghosts,
and startles Hell;
7:623 At last outragious (tho' compell'd
to yield)
7:624 He sheds his foam in fury on
the field,-
7:625 Which, with its own, and rankness
of the ground,
7:626 Produc'd a weed, by sorcerers
renown'd,
7:627 The strongest constitution to
confound;
7:628 Call'd Aconite, because it can
unlock
7:629 All bars, and force its passage
thro' a rock.
7:630 The pious father, by her wheedles won,
7:631 Presents this deadly potion to
his son;
7:632 Who, with the same assurance
takes the cup,
7:633 And to the monarch's health had
drank it up,
7:634 But in the very instant he apply'd
7:635 The goblet to his lips, old Aegeus
spy'd
7:636 The iv'ry hilted sword that grac'd
his side.
7:637 That certain signal of his son
he knew,
7:638 And snatcht the bowl away; the
sword he drew,
7:639 Resolv'd, for such a son's endanger'd
life,
7:640 To sacrifice the most perfidious
wife.
7:641 Revenge is swift, but her more
active charms
7:642 A whirlwind rais'd, that snatch'd
her from his arms.
7:643 While conjur'd clouds their baffled
sense surprize,
7:644 She vanishes from their deluded
eyes,
7:645 And thro' the hurricane triumphant
flies.
7:646 The gen'rous king, altho' o'er-joy'd to find
7:647 His son was safe, yet bearing
still in mind
7:648 The mischief by his treach'rous
queen design'd;
7:649 The horrour of the deed, and
then how near
7:650 The danger drew, he stands congeal'd
with fear.
7:651 But soon that fear into devotion
turns,
7:652 With grateful incense ev'ry altar
burns;
7:653 Proud victims, and unconscious
of their fate,
7:654 Stalk to the temple, there to
die in state.
7:655 In Athens never had a day been
found
7:656 For mirth, like that grand festival,
renown'd.
7:657 Promiscuously the peers, and
people dine,
7:658 Promiscuously their thankful
voices join,
7:659 In songs of wit, sublim'd by
spritely wine.
7:660 To list'ning spheres their joint
applause they raise,
7:661 And thus resound their matchless
Theseus' praise.
7:662 Great Theseus! Thee the Marathonian plain
7:663 Admires, and wears with pride
the noble stain
7:664 Of the dire monster's blood,
by valiant Theseus slain.
7:665 That now Cromyon's swains in
safety sow,
7:666 And reap their fertile field,
to thee they owe.
7:667 By thee th' infested Epidaurian
coast
7:668 Was clear'd, and now can a free
commerce boast.
7:669 The traveller his journey can
pursue,
7:670 With pleasure the late dreadful
valley view,
7:671 And cry, Here Theseus the grand
robber slew.
7:672 Cephysus' cries to his rescu'd
shore,
7:673 The merciless Procrustes is no
more.
7:674 In peace, Eleusis, Ceres' rites
renew,
7:675 Since Theseus' sword the fierce
Cercyon slew.
7:676 By him the tort'rer Sinis was
destroy'd,
7:677 Of strength (but strength to
barb'rous use employ'd)
7:678 That tops of tallest pines to
Earth could bend,
7:679 And thus in pieces wretched captives
rend.
7:680 Inhuman Scyron now has breath'd
his last,
7:681 And now Alcatho's roads securely
past;
7:682 By Theseus slain, and thrown
into the deep:
7:683 But Earth nor Sea his scatter'd
bones wou'd keep,
7:684 Which, after floating long, a
rock became,
7:685 Still infamous with Scyron's
hated name.
7:686 When Fame to count thy acts and
years proceeds,
7:687 Thy years appear but cyphers
to thy deeds.
7:688 For thee, brave youth, as for
our common-wealth,
7:689 We pray; and drink, in yours,
the publick health.
7:690 Your praise the senate, and plebeians
sing,
7:691 With your lov'd name the court,
and cottage ring.
7:692 You make our shepherds and our
sailors glad,
7:693 And not a house in this vast
city's sad.
7:694 But mortal bliss will never come sincere,
7:695 Pleasure may lead, but grief
brings up the rear;
7:696 While for his sons' arrival,
rev'ling joy
7:697 Aegeus, and all his subjects
does employ;
7:698 While they for only costly feasts
prepare,
7:699 His neighb'ring monarch, Minos,
threatens war:
7:700 Weak in land-forces, nor by sea
more strong,
7:701 But pow'rful in a deep resented
wrong
7:702 For a son's murder, arm'd with
pious rage;
7:703 Yet prudently before he would
engage,
7:704 To raise auxiliaries resolv'd
to sail,
7:705 And with the pow'rful princes
to prevail.
7:706 First Anaphe, then proud Astypalaea gains,
7:707 By presents that, and this by
threats obtains:
7:708 Low Mycone, Cymolus, chalky soil,
7:709 Tall Cythnos, Scyros, flat Seriphos'
isle;
7:710 Paros, with marble cliffs afar
display'd;
7:711 Impregnable Sithonia; yet betray'd
7:712 To a weak foe by a gold-admiring
maid,
7:713 Who, chang'd into a daw of sable
hue,
7:714 Still hoards up gold, and hides
it from the view.
7:715 But as these islands chearfully combine,
7:716 Others refuse t' embark in his
design.
7:717 Now leftward with an easy sail
he bore,
7:718 And prosp'rous passage to Oenopia's
shore;
7:719 Oenopia once, but now Aegina
call'd,
7:720 And with his royal mother's name
install'd
7:721 By Aeacus, under whose reign
did spring
7:722 The Myrmidons, and now their
reigning king.
7:723 Down to the port, amidst the rabble, run
7:724 The princes of the blood; with
Telamon,
7:725 Peleus the next, and Phocus the
third son:
7:726 Then Aeacus, altho' opprest with
years,
7:727 To ask the cause of their approach
appears.
7:728 That question does the Gnossian's
grief renew,
7:729 And sighs from his afflicted
bosom drew;
7:730 Yet after a short solemn respite
made,
7:731 The ruler of the hundred cities
said:
7:732 Assist our arms, rais'd for a murder'd son,
7:733 In this religious war no risque
you'll run:
7:734 Revenge the dead-for who refuse
to give
7:735 Rest to their urns, unworthy
are to live.
7:736 What you request, thus Aeacus replies,
7:737 Not I, but truth and common faith
denies;
7:738 Athens and we have long been
sworn allies:
7:739 Our leagues are fix'd, confed'rate
are our pow'rs,
7:740 And who declare themselves their
foes, are ours.
7:741 Minos rejoins, Your league shall dearly cost
7:742 (Yet, mindful how much safer
'twas to boast,
7:743 Than there to waste his forces,
and his fame,
7:744 Before in field with his grand
foe he came),
7:745 Parts without blows-nor long
had left the shore,
7:746 E're into port another navy bore,
7:747 With Cephalus, and all his jolly
crew;
7:748 Th' Aeacides their old acquaintance
knew:
7:749 The princes bid him welcome,
and in state
7:750 Conduct the heroe to their palace
gate;
7:751 Who entr'ring, seem'd the charming
mein to wear,
7:752 As when in youth he paid his
visit there.
7:753 In his right hand an olive-branch
he holds,
7:754 And, salutation past, the chief unfolds
7:755 His embassy from the Athenian
state,
7:756 Their mutual friendship, leagues
of ancient date;
7:757 Their common danger, ev'ry thing
cou'd wake
7:758 Concern, and his address successful
make:
7:759 Strength'ning his plea with all
the charms of sense,
7:760 And those, with all the charms
of eloquence.
7:761 Then thus the king: Like suitors do you stand
7:762 For that assistance which you
may command?
7:763 Athenians, all our listed forces
use
7:764 (They're such as no bold service
will refuse);
7:765 And when y' ave drawn them off,
the Gods be prais'd,
7:766 Fresh legions can within our
isle be rais'd:
7:767 So stock'd with people, that
we can prepare
7:768 Both for domestick, and for distant
war,
7:769 Ours, or our friends' insulters
to chastize.
7:770 Long may ye flourish thus, the prince replies.
7:771 Strange transport seiz'd me as
I pass'd along,
7:772 To meet so many troops, and all
so young,
7:773 As if your army did of twins
consist;
7:774 Yet amongst them my late acquaintance
miss'd:
7:775 Ev'n all that to your palace
did resort,
7:776 When first you entertain'd me
at your court;
7:777 And cannot guess the cause from
whence cou'd spring
7:778 So vast a change-Then thus the
sighing king:
7:779 Illustrious guest, to my strange tale attend,
7:780 Of sad beginning, but a joyful
end:
7:781 The whole to a vast history wou'd
swell,
7:782 I shall but half, and that confus'dly,
tell.
7:783 That race whom so deserv'dly
you admir'd,
7:784 Are all into their silent tombs
retir'd:
7:785 They fell; and falling, how they
shook my state,
7:786 Thought may conceive, but words
can ne'er relate.
The Story of Ants chang'd to Men
7:787 A dreadful plague from angry Juno came,
7:788 To scourge the land, that bore
her rival's name;
7:789 Before her fatal anger was reveal'd,
7:790 And teeming malice lay as yet
conceal'd,
7:791 All remedies we try, all med'cines
use,
7:792 Which Nature cou'd supply, or
art produce;
7:793 Th' unconquer'd foe derides the
vain design,
7:794 And art, and Nature foil'd, declare
the cause divine.
7:795 At first we only felt th' oppressive weight
7:796 Of gloomy clouds, then teeming
with our fate,
7:797 And lab'ring to discarge unactive
heat:
7:798 But ere four moons alternate
changes knew,
7:799 With deadly blasts the fatal
South-wind blew,
7:800 Infected all the air, and poison'd
as it flew.
7:801 Our fountains too a dire infection
yield,
7:802 For crowds of vipers creep along
the field,
7:803 And with polluted gore, and baneful
steams,
7:804 Taint all the lakes, and venom
all the streams.
7:805 The young disease with milder force began,
7:806 And rag'd on birds, and beasts,
excusing Man.
7:807 The lab'ring oxen fall before
the plow,
7:808 Th' unhappy plow-men stare, and
wonder how:
7:809 The tabid sheep, with sickly
bleatings, pines;
7:810 Its wool decreasing, as its strength
declines:
7:811 The warlike steed, by inward
foes compell'd,
7:812 Neglects his honours, and deserts
the field;
7:813 Unnerv'd, and languid, seeks
a base retreat,
7:814 And at the manger groans, but
wish'd a nobler fate:
7:815 The stags forget their speed,
the boars their rage,
7:816 Nor can the bears the stronger
herds engage:
7:817 A gen'ral faintness does invade
'em all,
7:818 And in the woods, and fields,
promiscuously they fall.
7:819 The air receives the stench,
and (strange to say)
7:820 The rav'nous birds and beasts
avoid the prey:
7:821 Th' offensive bodies rot upon
the ground,
7:822 And spread the dire contagion
all around.
7:823 But now the plague, grown to a larger size,
7:824 Riots on Man, and scorns a meaner
prize.
7:825 Intestine heats begin the civil
war,
7:826 And flushings first the latent
flame declare,
7:827 And breath inspir'd, which seem'd
like fiery air.
7:828 Their black dry tongues are swell'd,
and scarce can move,
7:829 And short thick sighs from panting
lung are drove.
7:830 They gape for air, with flatt'ring
hopes t' abate
7:831 Their raging flames, but that
augments their heat.
7:832 No bed, no cov'ring can the wretches
bear,
7:833 But on the ground, expos'd to
open air,
7:834 They lye, and hope to find a
pleasing coolness there.
7:835 The suff'ring Earth with that
oppression curst,
7:836 Returns the heat which they imparted
first.
7:837 In vain physicians would bestow their aid,
7:838 Vain all their art, and useless
all their trade;
7:839 And they, ev'n they, who fleeting
life recall,
7:840 Feel the same Pow'rs, and undistinguish'd
fall.
7:841 If any proves so daring to attend
7:842 His sick companion, or his darling
friend,
7:843 Th' officious wretch sucks in
contagious breath,
7:844 And with his friend does sympathize
in death.
7:845 And now the care and hopes of life are past,
7:846 They please their fancies, and
indulge their taste;
7:847 At brooks and streams, regardless
of their shame,
7:848 Each sex, promiscuous, strives
to quench their flame;
7:849 Nor do they strive in vain to
quench it there,
7:850 For thirst, and life at once
extinguish'd are.
7:851 Thus in the brooks the dying
bodies sink,
7:852 But heedless still the rash survivors
drink.
7:853 So much uneasy down the wretches hate,
7:854 They fly their beds, to struggle
with their fate;
7:855 But if decaying strength forbids
to rise,
7:856 The victim crawls and rouls,
'till on the ground he lies.
7:857 Each shuns his bed, as each wou'd
shun his tomb,
7:858 And thinks th' infection only
lodg'd at home.
7:859 Here one, with fainting steps,
does slowly creep
7:860 O'er heaps of dead, and strait
augments the heap;
7:861 Another, while his strength and
tongue prevail'd,
7:862 Bewails his friend, and falls
himself bewail'd:
7:863 This with imploring looks surveys
the skies,
7:864 The last dear office of his closing
eyes,
7:865 But finds the Heav'ns implacable,
and dies.
7:866 What now, ah! what employ'd my troubled mind?
7:867 But only hopes my subjects' fate
to find.
7:868 What place soe'er my weeping
eyes survey,
7:869 There in lamented heaps the vulgar
lay;
7:870 As acorns scatter when the winds
prevail,
7:871 Or mellow fruit from shaken branches
fall.
7:872 You see that dome which rears its front so
high:
7:873 'Tis sacred to the monarch of
the sky:
7:874 How many there, with unregarded
tears,
7:875 And fruitless vows, sent up successless
pray'rs?
7:876 There fathers for expiring sons
implor'd,
7:877 And there the wife bewail'd her
gasping lord;
7:878 With pious off'rings they'd appease
the skies,
7:879 But they, ere yet th' attoning
vapours rise,
7:880 Before the altars fall, themselves
a sacrifice:
7:881 They fall, while yet their hands
the gums contain,
7:882 The gums surviving, but their
off'rers slain.
7:883 The destin'd ox, with holy garlands crown'd,
7:884 Prevents the blow, and feels
th' expected wound:
7:885 When I my self invok'd the Pow'rs
divine,
7:886 To drive the fatal pest from
me and mine;
7:887 When now the priest with hands
uplifted stood,
7:888 Prepar'd to strike, and shed
the sacred blood,
7:889 The Gods themselves the mortal
stroke bestow,
7:890 The victim falls, but they impart
the blow:
7:891 Scarce was the knife with the
pale purple stain'd,
7:892 And no presages cou'd be then
obtain'd,
7:893 From putrid entrails, where th'
infection reign'd.
7:894 Death stalk'd around with such
resistless sway,
7:895 The temples of the Gods his force
obey,
7:896 And suppliants feel his stroke,
while yet they pray.
7:897 Go now, said he, your deities
implore
7:898 For fruitless aid, for I defie
their pow'r.
7:899 Then with a curst malicious joy
survey'd
7:900 The very altars, stain'd with
trophies of the dead.
7:901 The rest grown mad, and frantick with despair,
7:902 Urge their own fate, and so prevent
the fear.
7:903 Strange madness that, when Death
pursu'd so fast,
7:904 T' anticipate the blow with impious
haste.
7:905 No decent honours to their urns are paid,
7:906 Nor cou'd the graves receive
the num'rous dead;
7:907 For, or they lay unbury'd on
the ground,
7:908 Or unadorn'd a needy fun'ral
found:
7:909 All rev'rence past, the fainting
wretches fight
7:910 For fun'ral piles which were
another's right.
7:911 Unmourn'd they fall: for, who surviv'd to
mourn?
7:912 And sires, and mothers unlamented
burn:
7:913 Parents, and sons sustain an
equal fate,
7:914 And wand'ring ghosts their kindred
shadows meet.
7:915 The dead a larger space of ground
require,
7:916 Nor are the trees sufficient
for the fire.
7:917 Despairing under grief's oppressive weight,
7:918 And sunk by these tempestuous
blasts of Fate,
7:919 O Jove, said I, if common fame
says true,
7:920 If e'er Aegina gave those joys
to you,
7:921 If e'er you lay enclos'd in her
embrace,
7:922 Fond of her charms, and eager
to possess;
7:923 O father, if you do not yet disclaim
7:924 Paternal care, nor yet disown
the name;
7:925 Grant my petitions, and with
speed restore
7:926 My subjects num'rous as they
were before,
7:927 Or make me partner of the fate
they bore.
7:928 I spoke, and glorious lightning
shone around,
7:929 And ratling thunder gave a prosp'rous
sound;
7:930 So let it be, and may these omens
prove
7:931 A pledge, said I, of your returning
love.
7:932 By chance a rev'rend oak was near the place,
7:933 Sacred to Jove, and of Dodona's
race,
7:934 Where frugal ants laid up their
winter meat,
7:935 Whose little bodies bear a mighty
weight:
7:936 We saw them march along, and
hide their store,
7:937 And much admir'd their number,
and their pow'r;
7:938 Admir'd at first, but after envy'd
more.
7:939 Full of amazement, thus to Jove
I pray'd,
7:940 O grant, since thus my subjects
are decay'd,
7:941 As many subjects to supply the
dead.
7:942 I pray'd, and strange convulsions
mov'd the oak,
7:943 Which murmur'd, tho' by ambient
winds unshook:
7:944 My trembling hands, and stiff-erected
hair,
7:945 Exprest all tokens of uncommon
fear;
7:946 Yet both the earth and sacred
oak I kist,
7:947 And scarce cou'd hope, yet still
I hop'd the best;
7:948 For wretches, whatsoe'er the
Fates divine,
7:949 Expound all omens to their own
design.
7:950 But now 'twas night, when ev'n distraction
wears
7:951 A pleasing look, and dreams beguile
our cares,
7:952 Lo! the same oak appears before
my eyes,
7:953 Nor alter'd in his shape, nor
former size;
7:954 As many ants the num'rous branches
bear,
7:955 The same their labour, and their
frugal care;
7:956 The branches too a like commotion
sound,
7:957 And shook th' industrious creatures
on the ground,
7:958 Who, by degrees (what's scarce
to be believ'd)
7:959 A nobler form, and larger bulk
receiv'd,
7:960 And on the earth walk'd an unusual
pace,
7:961 With manly strides, and an erected
face-
7:962 Their num'rous legs, and former
colour lost,
7:963 The insects cou'd a human figure
boast.
7:964 I wake, and waking find my cares again,
7:965 And to the unperforming Gods
complain,
7:966 And call their promise, and pretences,
vain.
7:967 Yet in my court I heard the murm'ring
voice
7:968 Of strangers, and a mixt uncommon
noise:
7:969 But I suspected all was still
a dream,
7:970 'Till Telamon to my apartment
came,
7:971 Op'ning the door with an impetuous
haste,
7:972 O come, said he, and see your
faith and hopes surpast:
7:973 I follow, and, confus'd with
wonder, view
7:974 Those shapes which my presaging
slumbers drew:
7:975 I saw, and own'd, and call'd
them subjects; they
7:976 Confest my pow'r, submissive
to my sway.
7:977 To Jove, restorer of my race
decay'd,
7:978 My vows were first with due oblations
paid,
7:979 I then divide with an impartial
hand
7:980 My empty city, and my ruin'd
land,
7:981 To give the new-born youth an
equal share,
7:982 And call them Myrmidons, from
what they were.
7:983 You saw their persons, and they
still retain
7:984 The thrift of ants, tho' now
transform'd to men.
7:985 A frugal people, and inur'd to
sweat,
7:986 Lab'ring to gain, and keeping
what they get.
7:987 These, equal both in strength
and years, shall join
7:988 Their willing aid, and follow
your design,
7:989 With the first southern gale
that shall present
7:990 To fill your sails, and favour
your intent.
7:991 With such discourse they entertain the day;
7:992 The ev'ning past in banquets,
sport, and play:
7:993 Then, having crown'd the night
with sweet repose,
7:994 Aurora (with the wind at east)
arose.
7:995 Now Pallas' sons to Cephalus
resort,
7:996 And Cephalus with Pallas' sons
to court,
7:997 To the king's levee; him sleep's
silken chain,
7:998 And pleasing dreams, beyond his
hour detain;
7:999 But then the princes of the blood,
in state,
7:1000 Expect, and meet 'em at the
palace gate.
The Story of Cephalus and Procris
7:1001 To th' inmost courts the Grecian youths
were led,
7:1002 And plac'd by Phocus on a Tyrian
bed;
7:1003 Who, soon observing Cephalus
to hold
7:1004 A dart of unknown wood, but
arm'd with gold:
7:1005 None better loves (said he)
the huntsman's sport,
7:1006 Or does more often to the woods
resort;
7:1007 Yet I that jav'lin's stem with
wonder view,
7:1008 Too brown for box, too smooth
a grain for yew.
7:1009 I cannot guess the tree; but
never art
7:1010 Did form, or eyes behold so
fair a dart!
7:1011 The guest then interrupts him-'Twou'd
produce
7:1012 Still greater wonder, if you
knew its use.
7:1013 It never fails to strike the
game, and then
7:1014 Comes bloody back into your
hand again.
7:1015 Then Phocus each particular
desires,
7:1016 And th' author of the wond'rous
gift enquires.
7:1017 To which the owner thus, with
weeping eyes,
7:1018 And sorrow for his wife's sad
fate, replies,
7:1019 This weapon here (o prince!)
can you believe
7:1020 This dart the cause for which
so much I grieve;
7:1021 And shall continue to grieve
on, 'till Fate
7:1022 Afford such wretched life no
longer date.
7:1023 Would I this fatal gift had
ne'er enjoy'd,
7:1024 This fatal gift my tender wife
destroy'd:
7:1025 Procris her name, ally'd in charms and blood
7:1026 To fair Orythia courted by
a God.
7:1027 Her father seal'd my hopes
with rites divine,
7:1028 But firmer love before had
made her mine.
7:1029 Men call'd me blest, and blest
I was indeed.
7:1030 The second month our nuptials
did succeed;
7:1031 When (as upon Hymettus' dewy
head,
7:1032 For mountain stags my net betimes
I spread)
7:1033 Aurora spy'd, and ravish'd
me away,
7:1034 With rev'rence to the Goddess,
I must say,
7:1035 Against my will, for Procris
had my heart,
7:1036 Nor wou'd her image from my
thoughts depart.
7:1037 At last, in rage she cry'd,
Ingrateful boy
7:1038 Go to your Procris, take your
fatal joy;
7:1039 And so dismiss'd me: musing,
as I went,
7:1040 What those expressions of the
Goddess meant,
7:1041 A thousand jealous fears possess
me now,
7:1042 Lest Procris had prophan'd
her nuptial vow:
7:1043 Her youth and charms did to
my fancy paint
7:1044 A lewd adultress, but her life
a saint.
7:1045 Yet I was absent long, the
Goddess too
7:1046 Taught me how far a woman cou'd
be true.
7:1047 Aurora's treatment much suspicion
bred;
7:1048 Besides, who truly love, ev'n
shadows dread.
7:1049 I strait impatient for the
tryal grew,
7:1050 What courtship back'd with
richest gifts cou'd do.
7:1051 Aurora's envy aided my design,
7:1052 And lent me features far unlike
to mine.
7:1053 In this disguise to my own
house I came,
7:1054 But all was chaste, no conscious
sign of blame:
7:1055 With thousand arts I scarce
admittance found,
7:1056 And then beheld her weeping
on the ground
7:1057 For her lost husband; hardly
I retain'd
7:1058 My purpose, scarce the wish'd
embrace refrain'd.
7:1059 How charming was her grief!
Then, Phocus, guess
7:1060 What killing beauties waited
on her dress.
7:1061 Her constant answer, when my
suit I prest,
7:1062 Forbear, my lord's dear image
guards this breast;
7:1063 Where-e'er he is, whatever
cause detains,
7:1064 Who-e'er has his, my heart
unmov'd remains.
7:1065 What greater proofs of truth
than these cou'd be?
7:1066 Yet I persist, and urge my
destiny.
7:1067 At length, she found, when
my own form return'd,
7:1068 Her jealous lover there, whose
loss she mourn'd.
7:1069 Enrag'd with my suspicion,
swift as wind,
7:1070 She fled at once from me and
all mankind;
7:1071 And so became, her purpose
to retain,
7:1072 A nymph, and huntress in Diana's
train:
7:1073 Forsaken thus, I found my flames
encrease,
7:1074 I own'd my folly, and I su'd
for peace.
7:1075 It was a fault, but not of
guilt, to move
7:1076 Such punishment, a fault of
too much love.
7:1077 Thus I retriev'd her to my
longing arms,
7:1078 And many happy days possess'd
her charms.
7:1079 But with herself she kindly
did confer,
7:1080 What gifts the Goddess had
bestow'd on her;
7:1081 The fleetest grey-hound, with
this lovely dart,
7:1082 And I of both have wonders
to impart.
7:1083 Near Thebes a savage beast, of race unknown,
7:1084 Laid waste the field, and bore
the vineyards down;
7:1085 The swains fled from him, and
with one consent
7:1086 Our Grecian youth to chase
the monster went;
7:1087 More swift than light'ning
he the toils surpast,
7:1088 And in his course spears, men,
and trees o'er-cast.
7:1089 We slipt our dogs, and last
my Lelaps too,
7:1090 When none of all the mortal
race wou'd do:
7:1091 He long before was struggling
from my hands,
7:1092 And, e're we cou'd unloose
him, broke his bands.
7:1093 That minute where he was, we
cou'd not find,
7:1094 And only saw the dust he left
behind.
7:1095 I climb'd a neighb'ring hill
to view the chase,
7:1096 While in the plain they held
an equal race;
7:1097 The savage now seems caught,
and now by force
7:1098 To quit himself, nor holds
the same strait course;
7:1099 But running counter, from the
foe withdraws,
7:1100 And with short turning cheats
his gaping jaws:
7:1101 Which he retrieves, and still
so closely prest,
7:1102 You'd fear at ev'ry stretch
he were possess'd;
7:1103 Yet for the gripe his fangs
in vain prepare;
7:1104 The game shoots from him, and
he chops the air.
7:1105 To cast my jav'lin then I took
my stand;
7:1106 But as the thongs were fitting
to my hand,
7:1107 While to the valley I o'er-look'd
the wood,
7:1108 Before my eyes two marble statues
stood;
7:1109 That, as pursu'd appearing
at full stretch,
7:1110 This barking after, and at
point to catch:
7:1111 Some God their course did with
this wonder grace,
7:1112 That neither might be conquer'd
in the chase.
7:1113 A sudden silence here his tongue
supprest,
7:1114 He here stops short, and fain
wou'd wave the rest.
7:1115 The eager prince then urg'd him to impart,
7:1116 The Fortune that attended on
the dart.
7:1117 First then (said he) past joys
let me relate,
7:1118 For bliss was the foundation
of my fate.
7:1119 No language can those happy
hours express,
7:1120 Did from our nuptials me, and
Procris bless:
7:1121 The kindest pair! What more
cou'd Heav'n confer?
7:1122 For she was all to me, and
I to her.
7:1123 Had Jove made love, great Jove
had been despis'd;
7:1124 And I my Procris more than
Venus priz'd:
7:1125 Thus while no other joy we
did aspire,
7:1126 We grew at last one soul, and
one desire.
7:1127 Forth to the woods I went at
break of day
7:1128 (The constant practice of my
youth) for prey:
7:1129 Nor yet for servant, horse,
or dog did call,
7:1130 I found this single dart to
serve for all.
7:1131 With slaughter tir'd, I sought
the cooler shade,
7:1132 And winds that from the mountains
pierc'd the glade:
7:1133 Come, gentle air (so was I
wont to say)
7:1134 Come, gentle air, sweet Aura
come away.
7:1135 This always was the burden
of my song,
7:1136 Come 'swage my flames, sweet
Aura come along.
7:1137 Thou always art most welcome
to my breast;
7:1138 I faint; approach, thou dearest,
kindest guest!
7:1139 These blandishments, and more
than these, I said
7:1140 (By Fate to unsuspected ruin
led),
7:1141 Thou art my joy, for thy dear
sake I love
7:1142 Each desart hill, and solitary
grove;
7:1143 When (faint with labour) I
refreshment need,
7:1144 For cordials on thy fragrant
breath I feed.
7:1145 At last a wand'ring swain in
hearing came,
7:1146 And cheated with the sound
of Aura's name,
7:1147 He thought I some assignation
made;
7:1148 And to my Procris' ear the
news convey'd.
7:1149 Great love is soonest with
suspicion fir'd:
7:1150 She swoon'd, and with the tale
almost expir'd.
7:1151 Ah! wretched heart! (she cry'd)
ah! faithless man.
7:1152 And then to curse th' imagin'd
nymph began:
7:1153 Yet oft she doubts, oft hopes
she is deceiv'd,
7:1154 And chides herself, that ever
she believ'd
7:1155 Her lord to such injustice
cou'd proceed,
7:1156 'Till she her self were witness
of the deed.
7:1157 Next morn I to the woods again
repair,
7:1158 And, weary with the chase,
invoke the air:
7:1159 Approach, dear Aura, and my
bosom chear:
7:1160 At which a mournful sound did
strike my ear;
7:1161 Yet I proceeded, 'till the
thicket by,
7:1162 With rustling noise and motion,
drew my eye:
7:1163 I thought some beast of prey
was shelter'd there,
7:1164 And to the covert threw my
certain spear;
7:1165 From whence a tender sigh my
soul did wound,
7:1166 Ah me! it cry'd, and did like
Procris sound.
7:1167 Procris was there, too well
the voice I knew,
7:1168 And to the place with headlong
horror flew;
7:1169 Where I beheld her gasping
on the ground,
7:1170 In vain attempting from the
deadly wound
7:1171 To draw the dart, her love's
dear fatal gift!
7:1172 My guilty arms had scarce the
strength to lift
7:1173 The beauteous load; my silks,
and hair I tore
7:1174 (If possible) to stanch the
pressing gore;
7:1175 For pity beg'd her keep her
flitting breath,
7:1176 And not to leave me guilty
of her death.
7:1177 While I intreat she fainted
fast away,
7:1178 And these few words had only
strength to say:
7:1179 By all the sacred bonds of
plighted love,
7:1180 By all your rev'rence to the
Pow'rs above,
7:1181 By all the truth for which
you held me dear,
7:1182 And last by love, the cause
through which I bleed,
7:1183 Let Aura never to my bed succeed.
7:1184 I then perceiv'd the error
of our fate,
7:1185 And told it her, but found
and told too late!
7:1186 I felt her lower to my bosom
fall,
7:1187 And while her eyes had any
sight at all,
7:1188 On mine she fix'd them; in
her pangs still prest
7:1189 My hand, and sigh'd her soul
into my breast;
7:1190 Yet, being undeceiv'd, resign'd
her breath
7:1191 Methought more chearfully,
and smil'd in death.
7:1192 With such concern the weeping heroe told
7:1193 This tale, that none who heard
him cou'd with-hold
7:1194 From melting into sympathizing
tears,
7:1195 'Till Aeacus with his two sons
appears;
7:1196 Whom he commits, with their
new-levy'd bands,
7:1197 To Fortune's, and so brave
a gen'ral's hands.