Perimele turn'd into an Island



8:876 But yonder far, lo, yonder does appear
8:877 An isle, a part to me for ever dear.
8:878 From that (it sailors Perimele name)
8:879 I doating, forc'd by rape a virgin's fame.
8:880 Hippodamas's passion grew so strong,
8:881 Gall'd with th' abuse, and fretted at the wrong,
8:882 He cast his pregnant daughter from a rock;
8:883 I spread my waves beneath, and broke the shock;
8:884 And as her swimming weight my stream convey'd,
8:885 I su'd for help divine, and thus I pray'd:
8:886 O pow'rful thou, whose trident does command
8:887 The realm of waters, which surround the land;
8:888 We sacred rivers, wheresoe'er begun,
8:889 End in thy lot, and to thy empire run.
8:890 With favour hear, and help with present aid;
8:891 Her whom I bear 'twas guilty I betray'd.
8:892 Yet if her father had been just, or mild,
8:893 He would have been less impious to his child;
8:894 In her, have pity'd force in the abuse;
8:895 In me, admitted love for my excuse.
8:896 O let relief for her hard case be found,
8:897 Her, whom paternal rage expell'd from ground,
8:898 Her, whom paternal rage relentless drown'd.
8:899 Grant her some place, or change her to a place,
8:900 Which I may ever clasp with my embrace.

8:901 His nodding head the sea's great ruler bent,
8:902 And all his waters shook with his assent.
8:903 The nymph still swam, tho' with the fright distrest,
8:904 I felt her heart leap trembling in her breast;
8:905 But hardning soon, whilst I her pulse explore,
8:906 A crusting Earth cas'd her stiff body o'er;
8:907 And as accretions of new-cleaving soil
8:908 Inlarg'd the mass, the nymph became an isle.