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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