 | Miscellanies in Verse and Prose |  |
PERSEUS and PHINEUS.
From the Fifth Book of Ovid's Metamorphoses.
Perseus, who was Jupiter's Son by Danae, having rescu'd Andromeda from the Sea-Monster to which she was expos'd, she is given to him in Marriage. At the Nuptial Feast he relates his Encounter with Medusa, whose Head be cut off, and wore in his Shield. He had scarcely ended the Story, when Phineus, the Uncle of Andromeda, to whom she had been contracted, attacks Perseus in Revenge for the Loss of his Bride, and the Friends on both Sides engage in the Quarrel.
While thus the Prince his wondrous Story told,
A surly Clamour thro' the Palace roll'd;
Not like the Voices at a Nuptial Feast,
But such as Arms, and angry War exprest.
In such Confusion was the Banquet lost,
As peaceful Seas by sudden Tempests toss'd.
A surly Clamour thro' the Palace roll'd;
82
But such as Arms, and angry War exprest.
In such Confusion was the Banquet lost,
As peaceful Seas by sudden Tempests toss'd.
Phineus, the daring Author of the War,
Led first the Way, and shook his shining Spear;
Behold, behold me here, he raving cry'd,
The vow'd Avenger of the ravish'd Bride;
Nor flitting Wings, nor Jove in lying Gold
Disguis'd, shall save thee, or the Stroke withhold.
Cepheus observ'd him as the Dart he aim'd,
What Fury, Brother, loudly he exclaim'd,
Provokes this impious Deed! Is this the way,
These the Rewards such Merit to repay?
Is this the Dow'r you wou'd bestow on him,
Who did my Daughter's forfeit Life redeem?
Not Perseus, but the Horned Ammon's Reign,
Dread Neptune, and the Monster of the Main,
Which sought my hapless Offspring for his Prey,
From thy Embrace have snatch'd the Bride away;
She then was lost to you, when doom'd to die;
Unless her Death wou'd give thee brutal Joy;
By our Affliction thus to chear your own,
And in our common Grief your Sorrows drown.
Is't not enough, that she before your Eyes
Was chain'd, while you, tho' bound by double Tyes
Of Spouse and Uncle, did no Succour give;
But will you, with unmanly Malice, grieve
That she was rescu'd by another's Hand,
And meanly rob him of the Prize he gain'd?
If such a Value in your Mind it bore,
You shou'd have won it from the Rocks before.
Then suffer him, who sav'd her, and by whom
My Age escap'd a childless Parent's Doom,
T'enjoy his Palm in Peace, since so decree
His Merit and my Word; for not to thee,
But certain Death, he was preferr'd by me.
Led first the Way, and shook his shining Spear;
Behold, behold me here, he raving cry'd,
The vow'd Avenger of the ravish'd Bride;
Nor flitting Wings, nor Jove in lying Gold
Disguis'd, shall save thee, or the Stroke withhold.
Cepheus observ'd him as the Dart he aim'd,
What Fury, Brother, loudly he exclaim'd,
Provokes this impious Deed! Is this the way,
These the Rewards such Merit to repay?
Is this the Dow'r you wou'd bestow on him,
Who did my Daughter's forfeit Life redeem?
Not Perseus, but the Horned Ammon's Reign,
Dread Neptune, and the Monster of the Main,
Which sought my hapless Offspring for his Prey,
From thy Embrace have snatch'd the Bride away;
She then was lost to you, when doom'd to die;
Unless her Death wou'd give thee brutal Joy;
By our Affliction thus to chear your own,
And in our common Grief your Sorrows drown.
Is't not enough, that she before your Eyes
Was chain'd, while you, tho' bound by double Tyes
Of Spouse and Uncle, did no Succour give;
But will you, with unmanly Malice, grieve
83
And meanly rob him of the Prize he gain'd?
If such a Value in your Mind it bore,
You shou'd have won it from the Rocks before.
Then suffer him, who sav'd her, and by whom
My Age escap'd a childless Parent's Doom,
T'enjoy his Palm in Peace, since so decree
His Merit and my Word; for not to thee,
But certain Death, he was preferr'd by me.
Phineus, without Reply, look'd sternly round
On both, in doubt on whom to fix the Wound.
Then, with what Force his Malice cou'd supply,
He let the pointed Lance at Perseus fly;
Frustrate it drove within the Royal Bed:
Th'avenging Prince sprung from the Couch with Speed,
And back return'd the flying Spear again,
And by the flying Spear the Sender had been slain,
But, slunk behind an Altar's Frame for Fear,
He lay unworthily defended there.
Th'unerring Weapon, with such Fury thrown,
Cut deep in Rhætus' Front, and pierc'd the riven Bone:
He fell, and broke the Jav'lin from the Wound,
And, quiv'ring, spurns the reeking Gore around.
On both, in doubt on whom to fix the Wound.
Then, with what Force his Malice cou'd supply,
He let the pointed Lance at Perseus fly;
Frustrate it drove within the Royal Bed:
Th'avenging Prince sprung from the Couch with Speed,
And back return'd the flying Spear again,
And by the flying Spear the Sender had been slain,
But, slunk behind an Altar's Frame for Fear,
He lay unworthily defended there.
Th'unerring Weapon, with such Fury thrown,
Cut deep in Rhætus' Front, and pierc'd the riven Bone:
He fell, and broke the Jav'lin from the Wound,
And, quiv'ring, spurns the reeking Gore around.
And now the Commons, with Revenge inspir'd,
Join in the Fray, and some to Death requir'd
Good Cepheus, with his Son: But he, with Care,
Had left the growing Tumult of the War;
The hospitable Gods, his Faith, the Right,
He calls to witness, and disclaims the Fight.
Join in the Fray, and some to Death requir'd
Good Cepheus, with his Son: But he, with Care,
Had left the growing Tumult of the War;
84
He calls to witness, and disclaims the Fight.
Pallas unseen did with her Shield defend
Her dauntless Brother, and new Courage lend;
Athis, an Indian, follow'd Phineus' Lore;
Him fair Limnate, sprung from Ganges, bore
In Sea-green Caves, if Fame the Truth express;
His lovely Form was heighten'd by his Dress:
In Bloom of Youth, elate with rich Array,
A Tyrian Scarf, with golden Borders gay,
He wore; bright Chains of Gold his Neck adorn,
And in a costly Caul his scented Locks are borne.
From far he guided dext'rously the Dart,
But knew to bend the Bow, with better Art:
Then too he drew the Horns with skilful Hand;
But Perseus sudden caught a flaming Brand,
And with the Leaver strongly striking down,
Crush'd his fair Face within the pounded Bone.
Her dauntless Brother, and new Courage lend;
Athis, an Indian, follow'd Phineus' Lore;
Him fair Limnate, sprung from Ganges, bore
In Sea-green Caves, if Fame the Truth express;
His lovely Form was heighten'd by his Dress:
In Bloom of Youth, elate with rich Array,
A Tyrian Scarf, with golden Borders gay,
He wore; bright Chains of Gold his Neck adorn,
And in a costly Caul his scented Locks are borne.
From far he guided dext'rously the Dart,
But knew to bend the Bow, with better Art:
Then too he drew the Horns with skilful Hand;
But Perseus sudden caught a flaming Brand,
And with the Leaver strongly striking down,
Crush'd his fair Face within the pounded Bone.
Assyrian Lycabas with Pity view'd
Th'illustrious Boy in his own Blood imbru'd:
His ardent Lover, with a Zeal sincere,
He still attended, and was ever near:
And now with Tears he mourn'd his Athis dead,
Then snatch'd the ready Bow, and thus he said;
Inhuman Chief! on Me your Valour show,
For long the Trophies of so young a Foe
Thou shalt not boast; from this no shining Name,
But Hatred rises, to the Victor's Shame.
Scarcely he spoke, when he the Dart dismist,
But Perseus shuns, and takes it in his Vest.
Then turning on his Foe, unsheath'd his Sword,
Foul with Medusa's Blood; the Blade his Bosom bor'd.
The Shades of Night swim sickly o'er his Eyes;
Dying, he sought where his lov'd Athis lies,
And falling on him, did below relate
The pleasing News of their united Fate.
As fi'ry Phorbas, and Amphimedon,
Eager t'engage the War, came rushing on,
The slipp'ry Pavement, moist with Human Gore,
Deceiv'd their Feet, and laid them on the Floor:
The Sword forbad their Rise; it pierc'd the Sides
Of proud Amphimedon, and Phorbas' Throat divides.
But luckless Erythis, who strongly rear'd
A Battel-Ax, a diff'rent Fortune shar'd:
For Perseus snatching up a Cup of Cost,
With Figures roughly prominent, emboss'd,
Full on his Crown the pond'rous Mazer toss'd.
He vomits out a Stream of ruddy Gore,
And knocks his Head supine upon the Floor.
Then Polydæmon fell, who drew his Line
From fair Semiramis; and Abarin,
Lycetus, Elycen with Locks unshorn,
Phlegias and Clytus take their fatal Turn.
The Prince the Palace with their Bodies spread,
A bloody Heap, and tramples on the Dead:
While Phineus dares not closely face his Foe,
Content from far his brandish'd Lance to throw;
On peaceful Idas drove the wand'ring Spear,
Who Neuter stood in vain, nor mingled in the War:
Since, (with a stern, distorted Look, he said,)
Me in your Broils a Partner you have made,
Prove what a Foe I am, and here repay
With Wounds the Wound you gave: He made Essay
To launch the Spear drawn reeking from the Wound,
But, faint with Loss of Blood, sunk grov'ling on the Ground.
Th'illustrious Boy in his own Blood imbru'd:
His ardent Lover, with a Zeal sincere,
He still attended, and was ever near:
And now with Tears he mourn'd his Athis dead,
Then snatch'd the ready Bow, and thus he said;
Inhuman Chief! on Me your Valour show,
For long the Trophies of so young a Foe
Thou shalt not boast; from this no shining Name,
But Hatred rises, to the Victor's Shame.
85
But Perseus shuns, and takes it in his Vest.
Then turning on his Foe, unsheath'd his Sword,
Foul with Medusa's Blood; the Blade his Bosom bor'd.
The Shades of Night swim sickly o'er his Eyes;
Dying, he sought where his lov'd Athis lies,
And falling on him, did below relate
The pleasing News of their united Fate.
As fi'ry Phorbas, and Amphimedon,
Eager t'engage the War, came rushing on,
The slipp'ry Pavement, moist with Human Gore,
Deceiv'd their Feet, and laid them on the Floor:
The Sword forbad their Rise; it pierc'd the Sides
Of proud Amphimedon, and Phorbas' Throat divides.
But luckless Erythis, who strongly rear'd
A Battel-Ax, a diff'rent Fortune shar'd:
For Perseus snatching up a Cup of Cost,
With Figures roughly prominent, emboss'd,
Full on his Crown the pond'rous Mazer toss'd.
He vomits out a Stream of ruddy Gore,
And knocks his Head supine upon the Floor.
Then Polydæmon fell, who drew his Line
From fair Semiramis; and Abarin,
Lycetus, Elycen with Locks unshorn,
Phlegias and Clytus take their fatal Turn.
The Prince the Palace with their Bodies spread,
A bloody Heap, and tramples on the Dead:
86
Content from far his brandish'd Lance to throw;
On peaceful Idas drove the wand'ring Spear,
Who Neuter stood in vain, nor mingled in the War:
Since, (with a stern, distorted Look, he said,)
Me in your Broils a Partner you have made,
Prove what a Foe I am, and here repay
With Wounds the Wound you gave: He made Essay
To launch the Spear drawn reeking from the Wound,
But, faint with Loss of Blood, sunk grov'ling on the Ground.
Odites there by Clymenus was slain,
The first in Honour of the Royal Train.
Here old Emathion was; with pious Fear
The Gods he worshipp'd, and a Heart sincere;
Still just, and still observant of the Right;
And since his cumb'rous Years forbad the Fight,
He battel'd with his Tongue, and cry'd from far
Against their Broils, and blam'd this impious War.
But closely round an Altar as he clung,
And with his trembling Arms upon it hung,
Fierce Chromis lopp'd his Head, and lopp'd so well,
The jointed Head upon the Altar fell;
Gasping, it seem'd to curse amid the Fires,
And in a shining Blaze at last expires.
The first in Honour of the Royal Train.
Here old Emathion was; with pious Fear
The Gods he worshipp'd, and a Heart sincere;
Still just, and still observant of the Right;
And since his cumb'rous Years forbad the Fight,
He battel'd with his Tongue, and cry'd from far
Against their Broils, and blam'd this impious War.
But closely round an Altar as he clung,
And with his trembling Arms upon it hung,
Fierce Chromis lopp'd his Head, and lopp'd so well,
The jointed Head upon the Altar fell;
Gasping, it seem'd to curse amid the Fires,
And in a shining Blaze at last expires.
Two Brothers, who did Iron Gauntlets wield,
Broteas and Ammon, matchless in the Field,
(If pointed Swords cou'd to the Gauntlet yield,)
Phineus dispatch'd; and Ampycus, the Priest
Of Ceres, with a white Tiara dress'd.
And thou, Cœlestial Bard, whose tuneful Skill,
With Seasons such as this, accorded ill,
Whose spritely Lyre, the Voice of Peace and Love,
With soothing Sounds did pleasing Transports move,
West bidden here, amid the jovial Throng,
To cheer the Banquet with harmonious Song;
But bloody Pettalus cry'd, scoffing, Go,
And play thy merry Notes to Ghosts below;
And his left Temple pierc'd with one malicious Blow.
By chance, the Strings his trembling Fingers found,
And temper'd, as he dy'd, a mournful Sound.
Not unreveng'd his Death Lycormas bore,
From the right Beam a massy Bar he tore,
And dash'd it thro' his Skull: He rush'd to Ground,
Just like an Ox beneath the Butcher's Wound.
While Pelates attempts to rend the next,
Swift Corythus's Dart his Hand transfixt,
And pinion'd to the Wood; and Abas' Sword
Enter'd his fenceless Side, and deeply bor'd:
He fell not with the Wound, but fasten'd there,
Suspended from the Beam, his Soul expir'd in Air.
Broteas and Ammon, matchless in the Field,
(If pointed Swords cou'd to the Gauntlet yield,)
87
Of Ceres, with a white Tiara dress'd.
And thou, Cœlestial Bard, whose tuneful Skill,
With Seasons such as this, accorded ill,
Whose spritely Lyre, the Voice of Peace and Love,
With soothing Sounds did pleasing Transports move,
West bidden here, amid the jovial Throng,
To cheer the Banquet with harmonious Song;
But bloody Pettalus cry'd, scoffing, Go,
And play thy merry Notes to Ghosts below;
And his left Temple pierc'd with one malicious Blow.
By chance, the Strings his trembling Fingers found,
And temper'd, as he dy'd, a mournful Sound.
Not unreveng'd his Death Lycormas bore,
From the right Beam a massy Bar he tore,
And dash'd it thro' his Skull: He rush'd to Ground,
Just like an Ox beneath the Butcher's Wound.
While Pelates attempts to rend the next,
Swift Corythus's Dart his Hand transfixt,
And pinion'd to the Wood; and Abas' Sword
Enter'd his fenceless Side, and deeply bor'd:
He fell not with the Wound, but fasten'd there,
Suspended from the Beam, his Soul expir'd in Air.
Then Melaneus, who chose the Prince's Side,
And wealthy Dorilas, in Battel dy'd:
Rich Dorilas, than whom was none possess'd
Of larger Lands, or ampler Harvests press'd;
The Lance obliquely, with a mortal Wound,
Sunk in his Groin; and when the Victor found
His Soul just ebbing, and his swimming Eyes
Rolling in Death, insultingly he cries;
This now of all your num'rous Lands possess,
This single Spot, which with your Corse you press;
And left him breathless. Perseus from the Dead
Snatch'd the warm Weapon, and, with Vengeance led,
Drove thro' the Boaster's Nose and Neck the Spear,
Which did at once on either Side appear.
While Fortune's Favour did his Strokes pursue,
Clytius and Clanis, two fair Twins, he slew:
Their Wounds were diff'rent; for the former lies
With the sharp Lance transpierc'd thro' both his Thighs;
Thro' Clanis' op'ning Mouth the fatal Jav'lin flies.
And wealthy Dorilas, in Battel dy'd:
Rich Dorilas, than whom was none possess'd
Of larger Lands, or ampler Harvests press'd;
88
Sunk in his Groin; and when the Victor found
His Soul just ebbing, and his swimming Eyes
Rolling in Death, insultingly he cries;
This now of all your num'rous Lands possess,
This single Spot, which with your Corse you press;
And left him breathless. Perseus from the Dead
Snatch'd the warm Weapon, and, with Vengeance led,
Drove thro' the Boaster's Nose and Neck the Spear,
Which did at once on either Side appear.
While Fortune's Favour did his Strokes pursue,
Clytius and Clanis, two fair Twins, he slew:
Their Wounds were diff'rent; for the former lies
With the sharp Lance transpierc'd thro' both his Thighs;
Thro' Clanis' op'ning Mouth the fatal Jav'lin flies.
And Celadon, and Astreus next expire;
His Mother known, but dubious was his Sire.
Ethion, who cou'd future Fates foretell;
But his Art failing, the fond Augur fell:
With him the Royal Squire, Thoactes, dy'd,
And dire Agyrtes, stain'd with Parricide.
His Mother known, but dubious was his Sire.
Ethion, who cou'd future Fates foretell;
But his Art failing, the fond Augur fell:
With him the Royal Squire, Thoactes, dy'd,
And dire Agyrtes, stain'd with Parricide.
So many slain, yet more appear behind,
And press the weary'd Prince, with Force combin'd;
Him to destroy, they urge the furious Fight,
In Violation of Desert and Right.
The pious Father, and the tender Bride,
With the sad Mother, favour'd Perseus' Side;
They pray'd for his Success, with pitying Eyes,
And fill'd the Court with Screams and clam'rous Cries:
The Din of clashing Arms their Clamours drown'd,
And Groans of wounded Men, expiring on the Ground.
The fainting Fight Bellona still renew'd,
With Streams of Blood the Houshold Gods imbru'd.
And press the weary'd Prince, with Force combin'd;
Him to destroy, they urge the furious Fight,
In Violation of Desert and Right.
The pious Father, and the tender Bride,
With the sad Mother, favour'd Perseus' Side;
89
And fill'd the Court with Screams and clam'rous Cries:
The Din of clashing Arms their Clamours drown'd,
And Groans of wounded Men, expiring on the Ground.
The fainting Fight Bellona still renew'd,
With Streams of Blood the Houshold Gods imbru'd.
Now Phineus and his Band the Prince inclose,
And each his Dart with eager Fury throws;
As thick the Storm of thronging Jav'lins flies,
As rattling Hail descends from wint'ry Skies,
And rings about his Sides, his Ears and Eyes.
Behind a Pillar's Breadth he shields his Back,
And thus secur'd, sustains the Foe's Attack.
Chaonian Molpeus, from the Left, the Fight
Urg'd, and Ethemon press'd him on the Right.
And each his Dart with eager Fury throws;
As thick the Storm of thronging Jav'lins flies,
As rattling Hail descends from wint'ry Skies,
And rings about his Sides, his Ears and Eyes.
Behind a Pillar's Breadth he shields his Back,
And thus secur'd, sustains the Foe's Attack.
Chaonian Molpeus, from the Left, the Fight
Urg'd, and Ethemon press'd him on the Right.
As when a Tyger, scow'ring on his Way,
Hears from two diff'rent Cotes the bleating Prey,
Distracted in his Choice, his Grinders churn,
On both he'd rush, on both his Fury turn:
So Perseus fares; and on the Left and Right,
Doubtful whom first t'attack, maintain'd the Fight.
Wolpeus disabled, fled, and unpursu'd;
Ethemon's Rage no second Blow allow'd;
Aiming at Perseus' Neck a furious Stroke,
With heedless Force, the Blade in Pieces broke,
And from the Beam, a Fragment of the Sword
Rebounding back, its Master's Weazon bor'd;
Yet, not dispatch'd, he lifts his Hands to pray,
But the sharp Sword prevents him in his Way.
Hears from two diff'rent Cotes the bleating Prey,
Distracted in his Choice, his Grinders churn,
On both he'd rush, on both his Fury turn:
So Perseus fares; and on the Left and Right,
Doubtful whom first t'attack, maintain'd the Fight.
Wolpeus disabled, fled, and unpursu'd;
Ethemon's Rage no second Blow allow'd;
Aiming at Perseus' Neck a furious Stroke,
With heedless Force, the Blade in Pieces broke,
And from the Beam, a Fragment of the Sword
Rebounding back, its Master's Weazon bor'd;
90
But the sharp Sword prevents him in his Way.
When Perseus found true Valour over-laid
By Multitude: Why then my Foes shall aid,
Since so my Needs require; My Friends, beware,
Avert your Eyes, he said, nor turn them here;
And saying, Gorgon's Snaky Head did rear.
Vain Aid, such Miracles are lost on us,
Nor move the Mind, cry'd furious Thescelus:
But while he stood in very Act to throw,
Fix'd with his offer'd Dart, he did a Marble grow.
Amphyx succeeds his Friend, and eager prest,
And push'd his Sword at bold Lyncides' Breast;
His Arm was stiffen'd in the Thrust, and stay'd
In the Mid Pass, nor further Motion made.
Nileus, who boasts from Sevenfold Nile his Race,
His ample Shield the Sevenfold Channels grace;
Part wrought in paler Silver, and the rest
In Gold were cast, with Elegance exprest;
See, Prince, he cry'd, our Lineage; and below,
Among the silent Ghosts, contented go,
Since you receive from Me the fatal Blow.
So spoke the vaunting Youth: The latter Sound
Dy'd in the Birth, nor perfect Passage found:
He gapes for issuing Words, but gapes in vain;
Choak'd in the Stone, the Words unform'd remain.
By Multitude: Why then my Foes shall aid,
Since so my Needs require; My Friends, beware,
Avert your Eyes, he said, nor turn them here;
And saying, Gorgon's Snaky Head did rear.
Vain Aid, such Miracles are lost on us,
Nor move the Mind, cry'd furious Thescelus:
But while he stood in very Act to throw,
Fix'd with his offer'd Dart, he did a Marble grow.
Amphyx succeeds his Friend, and eager prest,
And push'd his Sword at bold Lyncides' Breast;
His Arm was stiffen'd in the Thrust, and stay'd
In the Mid Pass, nor further Motion made.
Nileus, who boasts from Sevenfold Nile his Race,
His ample Shield the Sevenfold Channels grace;
Part wrought in paler Silver, and the rest
In Gold were cast, with Elegance exprest;
See, Prince, he cry'd, our Lineage; and below,
Among the silent Ghosts, contented go,
Since you receive from Me the fatal Blow.
So spoke the vaunting Youth: The latter Sound
Dy'd in the Birth, nor perfect Passage found:
He gapes for issuing Words, but gapes in vain;
Choak'd in the Stone, the Words unform'd remain.
Enrag'd at the Defeat, no Gorgon's Head,
But Fear congeals your Hearts, fierce Eryx said,
Come, join, my Friends; and, spite of boasted Charms,
We'll slay the Youngster with his Magic Arms.
In start to run, the Ground his Feet detain'd,
The Champion motionless a Stone remain'd.
These justly fell. But as Aconteus fought
In Perseus' Side, unwarily he caught
The Gorgon in his View: the Snakes beheld,
In a hard Quarry the chang'd Man congeal'd.
So well the Shape the heedless Eye deceiv'd,
Astyages mistook, and thought he liv'd.
With his long Sword he lash'd and hew'd around,
The forceful Blows against the Statue sound.
Amazement seiz'd on the deluded Foe,
And as he star'd, he did a Statue grow;
The staring Statue do's Amazement show.
But Fear congeals your Hearts, fierce Eryx said,
91
We'll slay the Youngster with his Magic Arms.
In start to run, the Ground his Feet detain'd,
The Champion motionless a Stone remain'd.
These justly fell. But as Aconteus fought
In Perseus' Side, unwarily he caught
The Gorgon in his View: the Snakes beheld,
In a hard Quarry the chang'd Man congeal'd.
So well the Shape the heedless Eye deceiv'd,
Astyages mistook, and thought he liv'd.
With his long Sword he lash'd and hew'd around,
The forceful Blows against the Statue sound.
Amazement seiz'd on the deluded Foe,
And as he star'd, he did a Statue grow;
The staring Statue do's Amazement show.
The Commons Names 'twere tedious to recite;
Two Hundred had surviv'd the Fatal Fight,
Two Hundred now were Images to Sight.
Two Hundred had surviv'd the Fatal Fight,
Two Hundred now were Images to Sight.
Phineus, too late, repents his impious War;
What shou'd he do? he saw the Figures there,
In various Postures fix'd; his Friends he knew,
And calls by Name, and do's for Succour sue;
And, faithless still, and not convinc'd, prepar'd
To touch; he touch'd, and found the Figures hard;
Then, in a mortal Fright, averts his Eyes,
Upholds his folded Hands, and thus he cries;
'Tis thine; the Conquest's thine; at length I yield:
But oh, I beg, take hence thy Gorgon Shield!
Nor Lust of Empire did my Quarrel move,
Nor envious Hate; 'twas for the Bride I strove.
Thy Cause, in Merit, Mine in Time was best;
I blush, I did thy better Claim contest;
Give, Heroe, but my Life, I all resign;
But Life I ask; the Rest be wholly thine.
Anxious he begg'd, nor dar'd to lift his Eyes;
When the fierce Prince disdainfully replies;
Take what I can, and this I can bestow,
And to thy Dastard Soul a mighty Bounty too;
Dismiss thy empty Fears, and rest secure,
No Steel shall violate thy Body more;
A lasting Monument I'll fix thee here,
Thy promis'd Spouse still with thy Sight to chear.
What shou'd he do? he saw the Figures there,
In various Postures fix'd; his Friends he knew,
And calls by Name, and do's for Succour sue;
And, faithless still, and not convinc'd, prepar'd
To touch; he touch'd, and found the Figures hard;
Then, in a mortal Fright, averts his Eyes,
Upholds his folded Hands, and thus he cries;
'Tis thine; the Conquest's thine; at length I yield:
But oh, I beg, take hence thy Gorgon Shield!
92
Nor envious Hate; 'twas for the Bride I strove.
Thy Cause, in Merit, Mine in Time was best;
I blush, I did thy better Claim contest;
Give, Heroe, but my Life, I all resign;
But Life I ask; the Rest be wholly thine.
Anxious he begg'd, nor dar'd to lift his Eyes;
When the fierce Prince disdainfully replies;
Take what I can, and this I can bestow,
And to thy Dastard Soul a mighty Bounty too;
Dismiss thy empty Fears, and rest secure,
No Steel shall violate thy Body more;
A lasting Monument I'll fix thee here,
Thy promis'd Spouse still with thy Sight to chear.
He said; and as he spoke, the Snakes he held
Where trembling Phineus turn'd to shun the Shield.
He went to catch away; his stiffen'd Neck
Was sudden stay'd; his Eyes in Marble stick.
The Marble Man a trembling Mouth displays,
A fearful Look, invoking wanted Grace,
With Hands submiss, and a dejected Face.
Where trembling Phineus turn'd to shun the Shield.
He went to catch away; his stiffen'd Neck
Was sudden stay'd; his Eyes in Marble stick.
The Marble Man a trembling Mouth displays,
A fearful Look, invoking wanted Grace,
With Hands submiss, and a dejected Face.
| Miscellanies in Verse and Prose | |