"From scheme to scheme, I turn my doubtful mind, "Yet, none propitious to the Greeks I find."

She paus'd-and both upon the pavement keep
Their glances fix'd, in meditation deep.
Then Juno." Let us seek the queen of charms;
"And gain her son to lend his powerful arms.

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"Let him inflame the fair Medea's heart. "Philtres she knows, and many a magic art. "His gentle weapons shall invade her rest; "And love for Jason fill th' enamour'd breast. "The slave of fond desire, she may unfold "Expedients, that shall win the fleece of gold.” Minerva with the prudent speech accords, And thus replies, in soft and gentle words."My sire produc'd me, of impassive kind. "Love's fond artillery never touch'd my mind. "Unskill'd I am, in amorous hopes and fears. "Yet, if this engine of such force appears; "Let knowledge still o'er inexperience sway;"I freely follow where you point the way."They sought the palace of the Cyprian queen; A spacious pile, where Vulcan's hand was seen. The beauteous bride when sov'ran Jove bestow'd, His choicest skill th' impassion'd workman show'd. The courts they past, and found the portals clos'd, 51 Where the fond spouse his bridal bed dispos'd.-, With fairest hands the Goddess deck'd the bed; To wonted labours while her husband sped.— His forge, his anvil, and th' erratic isle Invite him early, to the scene of toil, Where all the wonders of his art he made, Recesses deep, that cavern'd fires pervade. Full opposite the portal, on a throne, That circled round the Goddess sate alone. Her tresses floated on her shoulders fair, A comb of gold adjusts her radiant hair.

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The queen of beauty then her cares bestow'd,
In braids prolix to weave her locks, that flow'd;
Like streaming sunshine.-When her guests she view'd,
The pleasing labour she no more pursued.

She bade them enter, and with courteous grace,

Sprang from her seat, to give the strangers place.
Reclin'd, the heav'nly visitants beside,

Her careless tresses in a knot she tied.

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Then, with soft smiles, that search the heart of heart, And gentle stings, and secret wishes dart.

"Say, honour'd goddesses, what counsel springs? "After long absence, what occasion brings, "Unwonted favour, to the queen of love, "The first and chief of deities above?

"

"We feel the sarcasm, tho' conceal'd with art, (Juno replied) but grief invades the heart.

"In Phasis' stream, the ship of Jason lies;

"Allur'd by hopes, to make that fleece his prize. 80 "From Grecian shores he leads a gallant band;

Unequal conflicts the bold youths demand. "For all I fear-for Eson's offspring most."Qh shall the flow'r of warlike hope be lost?— "No-should the youth to Stygian glooms descend, "My care should follow, and my arm defend."Ev'n should he try, to loose from bands of steel, "That wretch Ixion, he my aid should feel."Shall haughty Pelias mark, with impious scorn, "My frustrate vengeance, and my shrine forlorn? 90 "And shall not, then, th' atrocious tyrant dread "The fate impending o'er his guilty head?— "Not from caprice my care of Jason flows."His piety thy stream, Anaurus, knows.

Returning from the chace, when all around "The snows lay white, on every rising ground, "And roaring torrents, from the mountain roll'd, es O'erspread the plain, in shape deform'd and old,

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"With helpless seeming, and with piteous strain, "I prov'd his feeling heart, nor prov'd in vain. "He bow'd his shoulders to my weight; and bore "Safe thro' the deluge, and the torrent's roar."Oh deed humane! recorded in my mind, "No common recompence it claims to find."But punishment and recompense demand "Alike concurrence from thy gentle hand.”. She ceas'd. The novel language and request, Fill'd with amazement Cytherea's breast. And veneration mix'd with secret shame, While regal Funo us'd the suppliant's name. "Goddess rever'd (she said, in accents kind) "Deprav❜d and reprobate were Venus' mind, "Dare she presume, thy wishes to despise, "For word or act, that in her province lies. "Poor, poor auxiliaries are hands so weak; "But, task them freely.-No return I seek. With prudent answer, Juno then proceeds"Nor strength nor force our present purpose needs. "A peaceful influence with thy son employ, "That mighty arbiter of pain and joy. "At thy persuasion, let him wing the dart; "And love and Fason touch Medea's heart. "Thus, may the Minya find a powerful aid; "For artful wiles endow the royal maid. "Thus, may they safely reach Iolcus' shore; "And gain the fleece, that shines with golden ore," Then, Venus to the Goddesses replied.

"Your influence sooner would that urchin guide;

"For, shameless tho' he is, and unconfin'd,

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"Some touch of reverence might affect his mind. 130

"Of me regardless, with reluctant scorn,

"A mother's rule the wayward imp has borne.

"In bitterness of grief, and passion's glow,

"Oft have I thought, to break his shafts and bow.

"For, swoln with pride, at chastisement he spurns; "And menaces to reprimand returns.".

With smiles the Goddesses her plaint attend, And meaning glances on each other bend.

In mournful notes, resumed the queen of love."I find, my sorrows your derision move.— "Why weary others with my plaintive tone?"No-let me weep, in silence, and alone."Tho' secret anguish on my bosom prey; "Yet, where I can, your wishes I obey. "When softest blandishments assail his breast,

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My son may grant a parent's fond request.”

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Then, Juno prest her soft and polish'd hand; And spake, with soothing smiles, and language bland. "Perform th' appointed task with gentle art; "Nor let contention agitate thy heart. "Indulge thy son.-A parent's wish will find, "Short opposition, from his playful mind."

The Goddess ceas'd' and from her seat arose. With her returning, virgin Pallas goes; While o'er Olympus, and the realms above, Fair Venus seeks the fleeting pow'r of love.Sacred to Jove, where spread the flowery ground, The little deity his mother found. Nor found alone-the Phrygian* boy was there, Whom Jove translated to the starry sphere, Struck with his beauty.-Them, as suited boys, At golden dice, the careless hour employs. Minion of fortune, in exulting mood, On tiptoe rais'd, the wanton tyrant stood. His left hand grasp'd the winnings, which he prest, His wealth securing, to his ivory breast. Delirious sweetness from his glances flow'd; And o'er his cheeks translucent colour glow'd.

Ganymede.- -See notes, vol. z.

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Near him, with bending knee, th' opponent stands,
Two dies alone remain within his hands.
His heart the conqueror's mirthful triumph stung;
His drooping head, in silent grief, he hung.
Now, the two dies, that of his store remain'd,
That urchin god, by lucky chance, has gain'd.
With empty hands, in deep despairing trance,
He turn'd, nor saw the queen of charms advance.
She stood before her son she prest his cheeks;
And thus, with sweet insinuation, speaks.

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Why, wayward urchin, that malicious smile? "What thoughtless victim does thy craft beguile? 180 "Thy mother brings thee an appropriate task. "Nor yet, without reward, thine aid I ask. "Indulge thy mother; and I give my boy, "What once to Jove belong'd, a beauteous toy. "To him an infant, in th' Idean cave,

"His nurse, Adrasté, the bright plaything gave,
"A polish'd sphere.-And never, from the flame,
"Or skill of Vulcan, sweeter trinket came.
"The various circles are of burnish'd gold;

"Two swelling curvatures round each are roll'd. 190
"The joinings are conceal'd, with skill profound,
"And over each is pale green ivy bound.
"Launch'd from thy hand, in fields of æther bright,
"That star-like orb will draw the train of light.
"The prize is thine, if thy successful art,
"With love for Jason fills Medea's heart.-
"Send forth thine arrows, let her feel thy sway;
"Nor be the favour lessen'd by delay.".

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The Goddess paus'd-the boy, with ravish'd ears, The task propos'd, and promis'd payment hears. The gather'd playthings from his grasp he flung. Then, to her robe, with both his hands he clung. Her knees he clasp'd, and sprang from side to side, While every art of blandishment he tried.