The Death of Nessus the Centaur



9:119 This virgin too, thy love, O Nessus, found,
9:120 To her alone you owe the fatal wound.
9:121 As the strong son of Jove his bride conveys,
9:122 Where his paternal lands their bulwarks raise;
9:123 Where from her slopy urn, Evenus pours
9:124 Her rapid current, swell'd by wintry show'rs,
9:125 He came. The frequent eddies whirl'd the tide,
9:126 And the deep rolling waves all pass deny'd.
9:127 As for himself, he stood unmov'd by fears,
9:128 For now his bridal charge employ'd his cares,
9:129 The strong-limb'd Nessus thus officious cry'd
9:130 (For he the shallows of the stream had try'd),
9:131 Swim thou, Alcides, all thy strength prepare,
9:132 On yonder bank I'll lodge thy nuptial care.

9:133 Th' Aonian chief to Nessus trusts his wife,
9:134 All pale, and trembling for her heroe's life:
9:135 Cloath'd as he stood in the fierce lion's hide,
9:136 The laden quiver o'er his shoulder ty'd
9:137 (For cross the stream his bow and club were cast),
9:138 Swift he plung'd in: These billows shall be past,
9:139 He said, nor sought where smoother waters glide,
9:140 But stem'd the rapid dangers of the tide.
9:141 The bank he reach'd; again the bow he bears;
9:142 When, hark! his bride's known voice alarms his ears.
9:143 Nessus, to thee I call (aloud he cries)
9:144 Vain is thy trust in flight, be timely wise:
9:145 Thou monster double-shap'd, my right set free;
9:146 If thou no rev'rence owe my fame and me,
9:147 Yet kindred should thy lawless lust deny;
9:148 Think not, perfidious wretch, from me to fly,
9:149 Tho' wing'd with horse's speed; wounds shall pursue;
9:150 Swift as his words the fatal arrow flew:
9:151 The centaur's back admits the feather'd wood,
9:152 And thro' his breast the barbed weapon stood;
9:153 Which when, in anguish, thro' the flesh he tore,
9:154 From both the wounds gush'd forth the spumy gore
9:155 Mix'd with Lernaean venom; this he took,
9:156 Nor dire revenge his dying breast forsook.
9:157 His garment, in the reeking purple dy'd,
9:158 To rouse love's passion, he presents the bride.