The poetical works of Sir William Jones :: :: University of Virginia Library

III.

1.

Not unobserv'd the godlike boy
By Juno golden-thron'd the saffron'd cradle press'd;
Straight heav'n's queen with furious joy
Bade hideous dragons fleet th'unguarded floor infest:
They, the portals op'ning wide,
Roll'd through the chamber's broad recess tremendous,
And in Jaws fire-darting tried
The slumb'ring babe to close. He, starting light,
Rear'd his bold head stupendous,
And first in battle prov'd his might.

2.

With both resistless hands he clasp'd
Both struggling horrid pests, and cloth'd their necks with death;
They expiring, as he grasp'd,
Pour'd from their throats compress'd the foul envenom'd breath.
Horror seiz'd the female train,
Who near Alcmena's genial couch attended:
She, from agonizing pain
Yet weak, unsandal'd and unmantled rush'd,
And her lov'd charge defended,
Whilst he the fiery monsters crush'd.

3.

Swift the Cadmean leaders ran
In brazen mail precipitately bold:
First Amphitryon, dauntless man,
Bar'd his rais'd falchion from its sheathing gold,
While grinding anguish pierc'd his flutt'ring breast;
For private woes most keenly bite
Self-loving man; but soon the heart is light,
With sorrow not its own oppress'd.