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ODE VII. To Asterie.

I

Say, why does fair Asterie mourn?
Why doubt her Lover's wish'd Return?
The vernal Gales her Gyges shall restore,
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And kindly waft the longing Youth,
Of constant and unshaken Truth,
With a rich Cargo from Bithynia's Shore.

2

Driven by the South to Oricum,
He now bewails his hapless Doom,
Nor thro' long freezing Nights can close his Eyes:
While stormy Winds detain him there,
Impatient the Restraint to bear,
He lengthens out the lingering Hours with Sighs.

3

Mean while his Hostess strives to move,
And tempt him to licentious Love;
Her Envoy shows, how his obliging Dame
Is prey'd upon by secret Fire;
Describes her pining with Desire,
And tries each Art alluring Wit can frame;

4

Relates, how Sthenobœa's Tears
Provok'd believing Prætus' Fears;
How, stung by fatal Jealousy, she strove
The Son of Glaucus to destroy,
(Rash to refuse the proffer'd Joy!)
And Vengeance vow'd for her affronted Love.
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5

How Peleus, on the Brink of Fate,
Felt the dire Force of Woman's Hate,
Whilst from Hippolyté, too chaste, he fled:
With various Tales he plies the Youth,
To wake his Fears, or taint his Truth,
And win him to despairing Chloë's Bed.

6

In vain!—He, faithful, hears no more
Than Rocks, when Seas and Tempests roar;
Nor owns the Conquest of her wily Eyes—
But thou, my Fair, perform thy Part,
Nor let thy Neighbour's subtle Art
Thy soft unguarded Soul by Stealth surprize.

7

What tho' no Youth, in Mars's Field,
Such Proofs of manly Strength can yield,
To curb the Courser; and, with nervous Arms,
The rapid Tyber to divide,
And stem the Torrent of the Tide;
With Caution view his too attractive Charms!

8

At Night's Approach, thy Door be barr'd;
Nor from thy Window once regard
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His plaintive Flute with tender pitying Eye:
And tho' he vows, and mourns his Pains,
Oft calls Thee Cruel, and complains,
Yet still be Cruel, and his Suit deny!
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