The idylliums of Moschus and Bion Translated from the Greek. With annotations. To which is prefixed, An Account of their Lives; with some Remarks on their Works; and some Observations upon Pastoral. By Mr. Cooke |
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Idyllium II. EUROPA.
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 | The idylliums of Moschus and Bion |  |
20
Idyllium II. EUROPA.
The Argument.
Europa, Daughter of Agenor, King of Phænicia, being surprized by a Vision, calls for her Maids of Honour to accompany her to the Meads, to gather Flowers, and divert her after the portentous Dream. Whilst Europa and the Ladies are in the Meadow, Jupiter in the Shape of a Bull entices them to come and sport with him: Europa, taken with his Form and gentle Ways, gets upon his Back; he immediately arises, and plunges into the Sea. She, far from Land, invokes Neptune, and speaks to the Bull as if something suspicious of his Divinity; he, to pacify her, discovers himself; afterwards arriving at Crete, he resumed his proper Deity, and enjoyed her.
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More than half gone the Night, and Morn drew nigh,
When Sleep in downy Chains had bound each Eye;
When weary'd Mortals lay in pleasing Rest,
With various Visions hov'ring o'er their Breast;
In her Apartment was Europa laid;
A Virgin then; no more to sleep a Maid!
As she in soft Repose the Minutes spent,
This Vision Venus to the Damsel sent.
When Sleep in downy Chains had bound each Eye;
When weary'd Mortals lay in pleasing Rest,
With various Visions hov'ring o'er their Breast;
In her Apartment was Europa laid;
A Virgin then; no more to sleep a Maid!
As she in soft Repose the Minutes spent,
This Vision Venus to the Damsel sent.
Two Continents at Variance seem'd to stand;
Asia, and that oppos'd to Asia's Land;
The Form of Matrons serv'd for their Disguise,
One known, and one a Stranger to her Eyes:
Both claim the Fair; That says she brought her forth,
And pleads, she gave her Breeding, and her Birth.
Th'other, by Force of Arms, the Virgin drew,
And she as willing to the Matron flew;
But yet (when she Europa took,) she said,
By Fate, and Jove's Decree, I take the Maid.
Asia, and that oppos'd to Asia's Land;
The Form of Matrons serv'd for their Disguise,
One known, and one a Stranger to her Eyes:
Both claim the Fair; That says she brought her forth,
And pleads, she gave her Breeding, and her Birth.
Th'other, by Force of Arms, the Virgin drew,
And she as willing to the Matron flew;
But yet (when she Europa took,) she said,
By Fate, and Jove's Decree, I take the Maid.
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The Fair awakes, out of her Bed she starts;
Her Bosom throbs, Fears seize her vital Parts.
Not with her Sleep the boding Vision flies;
The Women still are present to her Eyes.
Silent awhile she sat; at last says she;
Her Bosom throbs, Fears seize her vital Parts.
Not with her Sleep the boding Vision flies;
The Women still are present to her Eyes.
Silent awhile she sat; at last says she;
Tell me ye Gods what can this Vision be?
What means this Dream, and from what Deity?
What Phantom thus molests my tender Breast?
And rouses thus my Soul from balmy Rest?
What Matron whom I saw, to me unknown?
I feel a Passion for the Love she's shown;
How tenderly she us'd me, as her own!
Ye Pow'rs above, great Jove, and Destiny,
Grant the Event of this, propitious be!
What means this Dream, and from what Deity?
What Phantom thus molests my tender Breast?
And rouses thus my Soul from balmy Rest?
What Matron whom I saw, to me unknown?
I feel a Passion for the Love she's shown;
How tenderly she us'd me, as her own!
Ye Pow'rs above, great Jove, and Destiny,
Grant the Event of this, propitious be!
So spoke; the Fair arose, and went to find
Her best Companions, dearest to her Mind;
Those whom she takes, when with her Virgin Train
She leads a Dance along the verdant Plain;
Or when, compell'd by Heat of Mid-day Beams,
Her Limbs she bathes within Anaurus' Streams;
Or when into the Meads, with a Desire,
She goes, to rob them of their gay Attire.
Again they meet, across their Arms they bear
A Basket; then unto those Meads repair,
Where always met, the now assembled Fair;
Charm'd with the fragrant Odours of the Plain,
Delighting too to hear the murm'ring Main.
Her best Companions, dearest to her Mind;
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She leads a Dance along the verdant Plain;
Or when, compell'd by Heat of Mid-day Beams,
Her Limbs she bathes within Anaurus' Streams;
Or when into the Meads, with a Desire,
She goes, to rob them of their gay Attire.
Again they meet, across their Arms they bear
A Basket; then unto those Meads repair,
Where always met, the now assembled Fair;
Charm'd with the fragrant Odours of the Plain,
Delighting too to hear the murm'ring Main.
Europa's Basket was of purest Gold,
The Work of Vulcan, glorious to behold!
On Libya was the Gift bestow'd, when she
To Neptune yielded her Virginity:
From her the Present, by Succession, came,
To beauteous Telepha; a lovely Dame;
Next it descended to Europa's Care;
Virgin Europa, lovely, young, and fair!
Such was the Work, such the resplendent Art,
The Present spoke the God in ev'ry Part!
There Inachus his Io stood in Gold;
A Woman lowing in a Heifer's Mold;
Forc'd to the Main by Scourges of the Bee;
Work of a cærule Colour was the Sea.
Upon the Shore two Men as wond'ring stood,
To see a Heifer scud a long the Flood;
And Jove was there; Jove strok'd the Marine Cow,
And seem'd to grieve to think her Fate was so;
Her in Compassion to the Nile he drove,
And made her what she was before his Love.
Of Gold was Jove; of Brass his much lov'd Cow,
The Streams of Nile in Silver Currents flow.
Under the Lid, by Hermes, Argus lyes;
(He once so watchful with his Hundred Eyes)
There see the Peacock from his Blood arise;
With painted Pride he spreads his colour'd Tail,
Like the the swell'd Canvass by a kindly Gale;
With it he spreads the Golden Cover o'er.
Such was the Basket fair Europa bore.
The Work of Vulcan, glorious to behold!
On Libya was the Gift bestow'd, when she
To Neptune yielded her Virginity:
From her the Present, by Succession, came,
To beauteous Telepha; a lovely Dame;
Next it descended to Europa's Care;
Virgin Europa, lovely, young, and fair!
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The Present spoke the God in ev'ry Part!
There Inachus his Io stood in Gold;
A Woman lowing in a Heifer's Mold;
Forc'd to the Main by Scourges of the Bee;
Work of a cærule Colour was the Sea.
Upon the Shore two Men as wond'ring stood,
To see a Heifer scud a long the Flood;
And Jove was there; Jove strok'd the Marine Cow,
And seem'd to grieve to think her Fate was so;
Her in Compassion to the Nile he drove,
And made her what she was before his Love.
Of Gold was Jove; of Brass his much lov'd Cow,
The Streams of Nile in Silver Currents flow.
Under the Lid, by Hermes, Argus lyes;
(He once so watchful with his Hundred Eyes)
There see the Peacock from his Blood arise;
With painted Pride he spreads his colour'd Tail,
Like the the swell'd Canvass by a kindly Gale;
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Such was the Basket fair Europa bore.
When to the Meads design'd the Virgins come,
Some pick the Daffadil, the Primrose some.
The wanton Damsels, in a sportive Fit,
Trip it along to see who first shall get,
In harmless Play, yon' pretty Violet.
But Chief of all the Virgin Train, is seen,
Beauteous Europa, in the midst, a Queen;
With her fair Hand she crops the blushing Rose;
And here like Venus with the Graces shows.
Your Sport enjoy fair Maid, not long to be
An unpolluted Maid, for Jove's too nigh.
Great Jove no sooner saw, but was undone;
Shot is the Dart, and thro' his Breast it run.
Such the resistless Pow'r of mighty Love!
'Tis he, and only he, can conquer Jove.
Jove must contrive, when jealous Juno pries;
He thus the Rape conceals from Juno's Eyes.
Some pick the Daffadil, the Primrose some.
The wanton Damsels, in a sportive Fit,
Trip it along to see who first shall get,
In harmless Play, yon' pretty Violet.
But Chief of all the Virgin Train, is seen,
Beauteous Europa, in the midst, a Queen;
With her fair Hand she crops the blushing Rose;
And here like Venus with the Graces shows.
Your Sport enjoy fair Maid, not long to be
An unpolluted Maid, for Jove's too nigh.
Great Jove no sooner saw, but was undone;
Shot is the Dart, and thro' his Breast it run.
Such the resistless Pow'r of mighty Love!
'Tis he, and only he, can conquer Jove.
Jove must contrive, when jealous Juno pries;
He thus the Rape conceals from Juno's Eyes.
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He's now a Beast, (such is the Pow'r of Love!)
He's now a Bull, e'erwhile no less than Jove.
Of all that ever felt the Plowman's Goar,
Or graz'd the Meads, or pond'rous Burthens bore,
None like this jovial Bull was seen before.
Just in the Middle of his Forehead grew,
A Circle whiter than the falling Snow;
His other Parts were of a yellowish Hue.
His bright, his amourous spark'ling Eyes, were grey;
A Thousand little Loves there seem'd to play.
His Horns were equal, like the Silver Moon;
Her Horns encreas'd, when half her Race is run.
Ent'ring the Plains, the Virgins at the Sight
Receiv'd him as an Object of Delight.
They by Degrees (mov'd by some inward Love,)
Approach'd the Bull, and strok'd the lovely Jove;
Whose odoriferous Breath the Sweets excel,
The Meads can yield with all their fragrant Smell.
He just before the fair Europa goes,
Kisses her Neck, the spotless Virgin woes;
Fain would he speak, but then he gent'ly moes.
Whene'er he low'd, you'd say th'Arcadian Swain
Was playing on his Pipe some tender Strain.
She strok'd him, kiss'd him, gently from his Mouth,
She with her lilly Hand wip'd off the Froth.
Upon his Knees he fell before the Maid;
His Back she view'd, and to her Virgins said;
He's now a Bull, e'erwhile no less than Jove.
Of all that ever felt the Plowman's Goar,
Or graz'd the Meads, or pond'rous Burthens bore,
None like this jovial Bull was seen before.
Just in the Middle of his Forehead grew,
A Circle whiter than the falling Snow;
His other Parts were of a yellowish Hue.
His bright, his amourous spark'ling Eyes, were grey;
A Thousand little Loves there seem'd to play.
His Horns were equal, like the Silver Moon;
Her Horns encreas'd, when half her Race is run.
Ent'ring the Plains, the Virgins at the Sight
Receiv'd him as an Object of Delight.
They by Degrees (mov'd by some inward Love,)
Approach'd the Bull, and strok'd the lovely Jove;
Whose odoriferous Breath the Sweets excel,
The Meads can yield with all their fragrant Smell.
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Kisses her Neck, the spotless Virgin woes;
Fain would he speak, but then he gent'ly moes.
Whene'er he low'd, you'd say th'Arcadian Swain
Was playing on his Pipe some tender Strain.
She strok'd him, kiss'd him, gently from his Mouth,
She with her lilly Hand wip'd off the Froth.
Upon his Knees he fell before the Maid;
His Back she view'd, and to her Virgins said;
Come nearer, dear Companions, and behold,
Broad is his Back, and ev'ry one 'twill hold;
Kind is his Aspect, gentle are his Ways,
Quite different from other Bulls that graze;
Observe his Gestures, much like humane Kind;
Had he a Voice but equal to his Mind!
Broad is his Back, and ev'ry one 'twill hold;
Kind is his Aspect, gentle are his Ways,
Quite different from other Bulls that graze;
Observe his Gestures, much like humane Kind;
Had he a Voice but equal to his Mind!
She spoke, then back'd him with a pleasing Smile;
(For Innocence, like her, ne'er thought of Guile.)
Fir'd by th'Example of the Royal Fair,
The Virgins all to follow her prepare.
He'd got his hop'd for Prize, nor wanted more;
He plung'd into the Main, and left the Shore.
But she turn'd back, stretch'd out her Hands for Aid,
To them on Shore; they can't persue the Maid.
Now far from Land, he with his Burthen proud,
Just like a Dolphin cuts along the Flood.
The Nereids, and each watry Deity,
Arise as conscious who the Bull should be;
Earth-shaking Neptune, Ruler of the Sea,
Holds up his Trident, and the Waves obey;
And give to Jove a calm, and easy Way.
The Tritons, which to Neptune's Train belong,
Prepare their Shells to sound the Nuptial Song.
Europa, as on Jove she cross'd the Main,
Strove from the Waves to save her Purple Train;
One Hand around his Horn she trembling laid,
That safe she might the liquid Journey ride.
The mournful Maid, far from her native Land,
Far from her Virgins, and the flow'ry Strand,
She look'd about, but nothing could survey,
But Air above, beneath the boyst'rous Sea;
Struck with the Prospect then before her Eyes,
Wond'ring she gaz'd around, amaz'd, she cries:
(For Innocence, like her, ne'er thought of Guile.)
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The Virgins all to follow her prepare.
He'd got his hop'd for Prize, nor wanted more;
He plung'd into the Main, and left the Shore.
But she turn'd back, stretch'd out her Hands for Aid,
To them on Shore; they can't persue the Maid.
Now far from Land, he with his Burthen proud,
Just like a Dolphin cuts along the Flood.
The Nereids, and each watry Deity,
Arise as conscious who the Bull should be;
Earth-shaking Neptune, Ruler of the Sea,
Holds up his Trident, and the Waves obey;
And give to Jove a calm, and easy Way.
The Tritons, which to Neptune's Train belong,
Prepare their Shells to sound the Nuptial Song.
Europa, as on Jove she cross'd the Main,
Strove from the Waves to save her Purple Train;
One Hand around his Horn she trembling laid,
That safe she might the liquid Journey ride.
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Far from her Virgins, and the flow'ry Strand,
She look'd about, but nothing could survey,
But Air above, beneath the boyst'rous Sea;
Struck with the Prospect then before her Eyes,
Wond'ring she gaz'd around, amaz'd, she cries:
Oh! Bull divine, where would'st thou me convey?
What art, and why tempt'st thou this dang'rous Way?
Ships we have known beyond the Seas to go,
But never knew a Bull so bold as you.
Say, can the Sea afford, or Drink, or Food?
If you're a God, then act as suits a God.
When knew you Dolphins in the Meadows graze?
Or Steers or Heifers sport within the Seas?
Undaunted you among the Billows row;
Your Hoofs supply the Place of Oars for you.
Perhaps you will e'erlong take Wing and fly,
And cut the yielding Air, and mount the Sky.
Unhappy I, alas! to leave my Home,
And with a Bull far from my Country rome.
But Oh! great Neptune, Ruler of the Seas,
Be you propitious when a Virgin prays;
But yet I hope he that conducts me o'er,
Will be my Guide when on a foreign Shore;
For sure I pass by more than mortal Pow'r.
What art, and why tempt'st thou this dang'rous Way?
Ships we have known beyond the Seas to go,
But never knew a Bull so bold as you.
Say, can the Sea afford, or Drink, or Food?
If you're a God, then act as suits a God.
When knew you Dolphins in the Meadows graze?
Or Steers or Heifers sport within the Seas?
Undaunted you among the Billows row;
Your Hoofs supply the Place of Oars for you.
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And cut the yielding Air, and mount the Sky.
Unhappy I, alas! to leave my Home,
And with a Bull far from my Country rome.
But Oh! great Neptune, Ruler of the Seas,
Be you propitious when a Virgin prays;
But yet I hope he that conducts me o'er,
Will be my Guide when on a foreign Shore;
For sure I pass by more than mortal Pow'r.
She spoke, and thus the broad-horn'd Bull reply'd,
No longer fear, ben't at the Waves dismay'd,
He that conducts you is no less than Jove;
I seem a Bull, or any Thing for Love:
E'en now my Fair I lay aside the God,
And tempt in borrow'd Shape the wat'ry Road.
To Crete, my Birth-place, I'll conduct you, there
Glad Hymen shall our Nuptial Rites prepare;
And you to Jove shall mighty Monarchs bear.
He spoke, and the consenting Fates ordain,
That what he said might not be spoke in vain.
No longer fear, ben't at the Waves dismay'd,
He that conducts you is no less than Jove;
I seem a Bull, or any Thing for Love:
E'en now my Fair I lay aside the God,
And tempt in borrow'd Shape the wat'ry Road.
To Crete, my Birth-place, I'll conduct you, there
Glad Hymen shall our Nuptial Rites prepare;
And you to Jove shall mighty Monarchs bear.
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That what he said might not be spoke in vain.
To Crete they came, where Jove assumed Jove,
Loosen'd her Zone, and revell'd in her Love.
Th'attendant Horæ th'happy Bed provide,
And she, just now a Maid, is now a Bride;
Joves Consort for a while; a Mother she
Fulfill'd, with mighty Monarchs Jove's Decree.
Loosen'd her Zone, and revell'd in her Love.
Th'attendant Horæ th'happy Bed provide,
And she, just now a Maid, is now a Bride;
Joves Consort for a while; a Mother she
Fulfill'd, with mighty Monarchs Jove's Decree.
| The idylliums of Moschus and Bion | |