 | Poems Lyrical and Dramatic |  |
232
CLEOBIS AND BITO.
Two pious sons of undegenerate Greece,
When to the temple went the country folk
(The oxen were afield), bowed to the yoke,
And drew their mother forty stades with ease.
When to the temple went the country folk
(The oxen were afield), bowed to the yoke,
And drew their mother forty stades with ease.
The people praised, the mother called down peace
On sons that honoured her, and, at a stroke,
The goddess, hearing, ere the twain awoke
Now sleeping in the temple, gave release.
On sons that honoured her, and, at a stroke,
The goddess, hearing, ere the twain awoke
Now sleeping in the temple, gave release.
Mother, thy prayer is answered, and they rest:
The boon is better than thy best belief;
Nor deem the oft-too-literal gods to blame!
The boon is better than thy best belief;
Nor deem the oft-too-literal gods to blame!
233
Sleep, happy pair, of Heaven supremely blest,
Snatched in full health and joy from age and grief,
Renown and virtue from reverse and shame!
Snatched in full health and joy from age and grief,
Renown and virtue from reverse and shame!
| Poems Lyrical and Dramatic | |