University of Virginia Library

Iphis and Janthe.

Lygdus and Telethusa, free from care,
Had long together liv'd a happy pair.
Blest with such stock, as might themselves maintain,
And bring content, while childless they remain.
But now, her time of Labour drawing nigh,
The Child, if Female, Lygdus dooms to die.
A Girl, he says, too great a charge would prove,
For, 'tis the Portion gains the Suitor's Love.
Sad Telethusa, griev'd at what he said,
And greatly fear'd the Child would prove a Maid.
She from the curse fain would her off-spring free,
But his Commands had past his firm decree.
And now the helpful Goddess, Isis, came,
To comfort Telethusa in a dream.
To her, a sacred Promise there she made,
Bids her rely on her alone for aid,
And Nurse the doubtful Off-spring of her Bed.
Now from the Room the pitying Goddess flew,
When, stretcht, tow'rds Heav'n, her Hands the Woman threw,
And strives, awake, to think her Vision true.
Encreasing throes at length a Girl disclos'd,
But, by the Father, still a Boy suppos'd.
So close the cheat was hid, that it was known
But to the Mother, and the Nurse alone.
The happy Lygdus feels an inward Joy,
And gives the Name of Iphis to his fancy'd Boy,
Now thrice five fleeting, happy Years were fled,
And his Young heir must fair Janthe wed.
Together still at their own sports they play'd,
And Iphis Lov'd her, tho' her self a Maid.
Like Darts, at once, their simple Bosoms strike,
In all alas! but in their hopes, alike.
The Nuptial day, appointed, now draws nigh;
Janthe thinks the hours too slowly fly.
Her Charming Lover she believes a Boy,
And hopes in her to find unpractis'd Joy.
But wretched Iphis, tho' belov'd, Despairs,
And utters thus, in sad complaints, her cares.
No Maid, like me, did e'er so ruin'd prove,
For I am lost in strange, prodigious Love.
The Gods, in pity, should this form destroy,
Iphis can ne'er be chang'd into a Boy,
Nor can Janthe give a Virgin Joy.
Compose thy Mind, curb in thy wild desires,
Think of thy Sex, and quench thy Foolish Fires.
Some other object for thy Passion choose,
Reform thy will, and Love as Females use,
Alas! I can't,—For then, I should Janthe lose.
There lies my woe, that causes all my care,
And what should bless me, drives me to Despair.
Of all the Creatures plac'd beneath the Sky,
The beasts that tread the Earth, the Birds that fly,
None ever yet was greatly curs'd, as I.
Of all Created things that live, and move,
No Female suffers for a Female Love.
What comfort now to wretched me remains?
'Tis only hope which Cupid's flight sustains.
Lovely I seem, and Charming to my fair,
Each for the other does a passion bear,
Ev'n in our Sex alike—ah! would we differ'd there.
Then with our wishes all would soon comply,
Nor do our Parents, nor our Friends deny,
The longing Virgin too, fond to be blest as I.
But now alas! thou canst not happy be,
Nor she enjoy'd, tho' Men and Gods agree,
Alas! she may, she will—by others—not by me.
All, but the greatest bliss, from Heav'n I prove,
Far as they could, the Gods have crown'd my Love,
And now the wish'd for day will quickly shine,
When dear Janthe will be ever mine.
Alas! I rave, and shall distracted grow,
In spight of Heav'n, she cannot e'er be so.
With this dire curse, my fatal Nuptial hasts,
To thirst in Rivers, and to starve at Feasts.
Let no glad Hymen at these Rites appear,
We both are Brides, there is no Bridegroom here.
This, and much more the Mournful Virgin said;
But diff'rent griefs perplext the other Maid,
Who for her long-delay'd embraces pray'd.
Still Telethusa new excuses Frames,
Fancies, and Notions, Auguries, and dreams.
But now no longer are the Rites delay'd,
And the next Night, Maid must be Join'd with Maid.
The Mother now lost in her Just Despair,
Unbinds her own, and her sad Daughter's Hair,
And to Propitious Isis offers up her Pray'r.
Bowing, towards the Altar, first she came,
Then, kneeling, does the sacred promise claim;
The Altar shook, and flash'd out awful Flame.
Loud Timbrels rung, the great successful sign,
And Telethusa bows, and leaves the Shrine.
Whom Iphis follows with a larger pace,
Short, curling locks, and a more Manly Face.
For their chang'd Child his Parents Praises sing,
And sacred gifts to Isis Temple bring.
This Verse, writ o'er the Altar, was display'd;
What Iphis Vow'd, a Girl, a Boy, he pay'd.
Next Morn, they both to their wish'd Nuptials move,
At Night, his Sex the vig'rous Boy does prove,
And both are happy in their Mutual Love.