1450

From Jason's form, his face, his sunny hair,
Such beams of beauty flash'd upon the fair;
The sweet contagion thro' the kindling eyes,
Subdued the melting heart, with fond surprise.
The fumes of passion drink the hurry'd blood,
As shrinks within her veins the vital flood.-———————
Their downcast eyes, now, spoke the timid shame.
Alternate, now, they darted looks of flame.
Beneath their brows, sweet smiling lustre play'd.-
Then, hesitating, slow, rejoin'd the maid.-

"Attentive hear me, that thou may'st derive
"The means of safety, from those aids I give.
"With deadly purpose rankling in his heart,
"The dragon's teeth my father will impart.-
"The fatal seed in peril thou must sow,
"A crop most fertile, in despair and woe.-
"Thou, by the march of constellations bright,
"Observe the moment, that divides the night.-

1460

Bathe in the current of th' unwearied flood; "Then, veil'd with sable stole, in solemn mood, "A circling trench with hallow'd rev'rence trace; "And kill a female lamb within the space. "Then, rear, with unpolluted hands, the pyre; "And give the victim to the flames entire. "Appease the Goddess, in that awful hour, "Daughter of Perseus, sole begotten pow'r."On Hecate libations due bestow;

1470

"Let honey'd streams from sacred goblets flow. "This ended, home return, with backward pace; "Nor turn at startling noise, thy heedless face; "Tho' hurried steps along the causeway sound, "Or mastiffs hoarsely bay, with note profound. "Shouldst thou, ill-fated, rashly turn thy head, 1481 "Vain are the rites, and hopes of safety fled. "Seek not thy comrades, with irreverent haste, "Ere all precautions are observ'd and past.

"Soon as the morning shall illume the sky; "Dissolve this drug, and o'er thy frame apply. "Unwearied strength, and courage shall be thine; "And vigour, not of men, but pow'rs divine. "Remember, too, with this same drug, to smear "Thy shield, thy trenchant sword, and pointed spear. "No wounds shall pierce thee, through the potent charms,

1492

"From weapons, wielded ev'n by giant arms. "The furious bulls, that roll devouring flame, "Shall breathe innoxious on th' enchanted frame."But, oh beware.-Th' enchantment will not stay. "It's force is bounded by a single day."Yet, not for this the bold emprize decline. "Some other aid, in dangers shall be thine.. "When with the fiery team, and potent hand, "Thro' all th' extent is plough'd the rugged land; "When all the tract is sown with dragon's teeth; 1501 "An earth-born race shall spring to light beneath. "When thou shalt see the crouding warriors rise, "In secret, cast a stone of ample size. "For this, as famish'd dogs for food engage, "The giant brothers will in combat rage."Fell'd by each other, as they press the ground, "Then, join the fight; then deal thy blows around. "Thus, safe from Ea shalt thou bear the fleece,

Scope of thy voyage, to the shores of Greece."But, let my image dwell within thy mind; 1511 "And sometimes seek these shores; but leave thy train behind.".

eyes;

She paus'd, and silent stood, with downcast
A flood of tears succeeding stormy sighs;
While she reflected he must far remove,
Death to her hopes, and torment to her love!
But, now, with bolder confidence endued,
She prest his hand; and thus her speech renew'd,

1520

With mournful tone.- "Thou, on the Grecian plain, "Remember me.-Thy form I shall retain; "Alas, too firmly.-But, ingenuous youth, "Disclose thy home, and household gods, with truth. -What course will bear thy vessel from our coasts?

66

66

-Where proud Orchomenus her treasure boasts?"Or, 'mid the waves, will Æa's nearer isle "Allure thy wishes; and in prospect smile?"But, who that virgin, theme of thy applause, "Whom ties of kindred to my father draws?

Thy words have painted her, as fair and young, "Of noble lineage, from Pasiphaé sprung."

Engender'd by her tears, pernicious guest, 1531 Love rush'd impetuous on the hero's breast. Ardent he answer'd." Neither day nor night, "Shall thy bright form be absent from my sight. "If I may 'scape, indeed, on Colchian plains, "The dreadful conflict, that thy sire ordains, "And safely reach the happy shores of Greece, "I bear thine image, with the precious fleece."My fairest asks me, where my country lies.

My heart, my tongue, are strangers to disguise. ""Tis pleasure, to perform the soft request,

1541

"By lips so sweet, and eyes so bright exprest.
"A land there is, that lofty hills surround,
"Where numerous flocks and fertile plains abound,
"Sprung from Japetus, of heav'nly fire,

"There dwelt Prometheus, good Deucalion's sire.
"He first, by laws o'er willing subjects reign'd;
"And towns for men, and fanes for Gods ordain’d.
"'Tis called Hamonia, by the neighb❜ring race,
"There, tow'rs Iolcus my paternal place;
"And various other stately cities smile;

1550

"Nor ev'n by name is known Æeä's isle.

"From thence, 'tis said, the noble Minyas went, "Who drew from Eolus his proud descent,

1560

1570

"And built Orchomenus, a town, that stands, "In peaceful neighbourhood with Theban bands. "But why amuse thee, with this idle fame, "My natal spot, and Ariadne's name?"Daughter of Minos.-Let her memory live, "In that esteem, benignant actions give. "Her sire and lover she to friendship led; "And concord firm, with healing influence, spread.— "Oh might thy father hear the words of peace, "From those dear lips, and all his fury cease!". Thus he, with flattering words, and soothing art, While sharpest anguish wrung the virgin's heart. Desponding looks and mournful tones exprest The gloomy thoughts, that labour'd in her breast. "In Greece, perhaps, the solemn pact may bind; "And laws of honour overawe the mind."Alas, Eetes knows no law, but force, "Unlike that Minos, theme of thy discourse. "And far inferior to that maiden mild, "In charms and influence, his unhappy child! "Oh think no more of hospitable rite; "But, when Iolcus' tow'rs rejoice thy sight; "Remember me.-Be some few sighs consign'd, "To the poor victim, that remains behind."For me; no pow'r shall tear thee from my soul, "Nor mother's voice, nor father's stern controul."May fame the tidings of thy welfare bring. "Some bird propitious waft them on his wing. "To bear me, might the favouring breezes rise, "And o'er the seas transport, and thro' the skies! "While round thee all the sports and pleasures flow, "That affluence, ease, and kindred can bestow; "Before thee, might I stand, a sudden guest, "And say-thro' me these raptures fill thy breast?— "Oh might I soon be plac'd, and long remain, "A favour'd inmate, with thy household train!" 1590

1581

Then piteous tears her lovely cheeks bedew'd. His gentle accents thus the youth renew'd."Wish not, my fairest.-Fruitless wish-to find "The bird of embassy; the wafting wind.

"But, wouldst thou yield to seek the Grecian shore; "Our maids shall honour thee; our youths adore; "Our matrons hail thy tutelary pow'r,

1600

"Our guardian goddess, in th' eventful hour;
"Whose counsels wise and salutary charms
"Return the dearest pledges to their arms.
"To some, the tried companions of their youth,
"To some, the husbands of their plighted truth.
"To this, a brother thine assistance gives,
"That from thine hand a darling child receives.-
"Oh might I claim thee, as my blooming spouse;
"Sole darling object of my faithful vows;
"In hallow'd league of soul with soul combin'd,
"One wish, one love, one fortune, and one mind!
"Form'd for each other, by the Gods allied,
"Death, only death our union should divide.”.

His words her soul with amorous softness fill. 1610
Yet, starting she recoils from purpos'd ill.-
Vain were thy conflicts, most unhappy maid!
For Juno's will, with pow'r compulsive, sway'd.
Brief was thy force, a lover to deny.

To Grecian shores thou art ordain'd to fly.
To wreak her vengeance, against Pelias plann❜d,
The Goddess claims thee, on Iolcus strand.
Meantime, th' attendants of the royal fair,
At distance, watch'd her steps, with jealous care.
They watch'd the progress of the wearing day, 1620
And silent murmur'd, at the long delay.
The sun, so forward on his journey past,
Home to her parents bids Medea haste.-
Yet, all unmark'd the stealing moments flow;
Such pleasure Jason's looks and words bestow.