From Teleboan Taphians, men of spoil,
Alectryon's sons embattled guard the soil.
These would defend, and those obtain the prize,
And streaming blood the field of combat dies.
Superior numbers quell'd the rustic band,
And swept the plunder of the ravag'd land,-
Two chariots there contended o'er the plains.
And Pelops guides the first, and shakes the reins.
Hippodamiä by his side was plac'd;

And Myrtilus with eager fury chac'd;

In act to strike, the spear Ænomaus held,

1180

And now in thought, through Pelop's back impell'd. The axle crashes, faithless to its trust,

1190

And leaves their vengeance prostrate in the dust.—
There Phebus, yet a stripling, rose to view,
'Gainst impious Tityos, as the bow he drew,
A monster, nourish'd by the fruitful earth,
From Jove and Elaré he took his birth,
Matur'd in bulk within her deepest cave,
A second birth, with pangs immense she gave,
His furious hands were on Latona laid,
But soon her offspring lent his timely aid.
-The Goddess by her radiant locks he drew,
The bow resounded, the sharp arrow flew.-
Tolcian Phryxus seem'd to breathe, to hear
The voice portentous, with astonish'd ear.
And there the ram, pourtray'd with equal skill,
In act of speaking seem'd, and vocal still.
Nature so true, deception so complete,
The gazer's eye could scarce detect the cheat.
He listens, with attention most profound,
And waits and waits, to catch the flying sound.

Such Pallas' gift.-A lance the hero shook;
Pois'd by his strength, no narrow range it took.
From lofty Manalus, that mountain hoar,
A pledge of friendship-he the weapon bore,

1200

1210

1220

From Atalanta. Rural scenes among, The chief she met; and sought to join his throng; But he forbade; lest beauty's magic sway O'er youthful minds, should wake intestine fray. Now, Jason seeks the city, beaming bright, As that resplendent star, that darts his light, At close of day, the messenger of love. With throbbing breast the virgin sees him move, Blest harbinger of Hymen's nuptial blaze, To gild the bridal roof, with festive rays. Like her own blushes sweet she sees him rise, With happiest auguries to glad her eyes, To tell her that the youth shall soon appear, Hope of her heart, yet object of her fear, Whom stern necessity too long detains, Indignant of delay, on distant plains, Lord of her wishes, for whose longing arms, Parental care reserves her virgin charms.— Thus Jason mov'd, like a celestial light, To joyful crowds so welcome and so bright. Tumultuous at the city gates they throng. With downcast eyes the hero moves along. Eager delight among the crowd prevail'd, And cries of joy the graceful stranger hail'd. He reach'd the palace of the royal maid,* The folding gates th' attendants wide display'd. The gates with skill the builder had dispos'd; And polish'd bolts the pervious passage clos'd. Swift through the porch her guest Iphinoë led, And plac'd him, where a splendid couch was spread. Full opposite was set the youthful queen, Her glowing cheeks, and her disorder'd mien, Betray'd th' emotions of her throbbing breast. With soothing speech the stranger she addrest.

1230

1240

* Hypsipile.

Say, stranger, to this shore what motive calls? "Why would ye linger thus without our walls? "Beneath our roofs no hostile greetings fear. "The feebler sex alone inhabits here. "Far far remote are all the manly race,

"And now they plough the fertile lands of Thrace."Attend, and hear my faithful' tongue disclose, "Without disguise, the story of our woes.

"My sire was Thoas, when he rul'd this land, 1250 "The Lemnians muster'd an invading band.

"In ships to Thrace they crost the sounding main, "Despoil'd the dwellings, and laid waste the plain. "Returning home, more priz'd than all the spoil, "They bore the maidens of the ravag'd soil. "Foe to this land, the queen of soft alarms "Inspir'd a purpose fraught with deadly harms. "Their youthful wives the madding train beheld "With mortal hate, and from their homes expell'd. Their place the captives of the spear obtain'd; 1260 "Such full dominion had their frenzy gain'd.— "Long time we silent mourn'd, and hop'd to prove "Returning reason, and reviving love.

"In vain we hop'd.—Our patience from the throng, "Drew added insults, and redoubled wrong. "The lawful offspring was belov'd no more; "The bastard drove him from his father's door. "The widow'd wife, and unprotected maid,

"Implor'd the husband's, and the father's aid;

1270

Implor'd in vain-an helpless outcast band, "Our streets they crouded, and they rang'd the land, "The mangled maid, th' injurious step-dame's thrall, "In vain for pity to her sire might call."For aid the sister to her brother flies;

"No more the brother feels fraternal ties.
"Th' afflicted mother calls her sons around;
"She gains no hearing-no relief is found.

"The captive conquerors held our dear abodes, "Dance, forum, ev'n the banquet of the Gods. "At length, some God, or misery inspir'd

1280

"A wond'rous boldness, that our state requir'd. "'Gainst those false men we clos'd the gates and tow'rs, "While with their Thracians they consum'd the hours; ""Till they to reason should restore her seat, "Or with their captives seek some new retreat. "Whate'er of manly progeny remain'd

1290

"Within our walls, their earnest pray'rs obtain❜d: "With them they cross the seas, and Thrace regain, "Where drifted snows o'erwhelm the wint'ry plain. "Hence, we for sojourners have ample room. "—Abide with us; the vacant space assume. "To this alliance if thy thoughts incline, "The crown my father wore shall now be thine. "Nor shall ye blame the produce of our soil; "No land more richly pays the farmer's toil; "Nor in th' Egean deeps does island lie, "In Ceres' gifts, that may with Lemnos vie. "But seek your ship; let your companions hear "Our friendly words; no more these walls forbear." She ceas'd-the veil of secrecy was cast

1300

O'er the dire slaughter, that in Lemnos past.
When Jason thus—“ O Queen, with grateful hearts,
"We take those aids, your bounteous hand imparts.
"I seek the ship; soon to return again;
"But you, your sceptre, and your isle retain.
"Think not, thro' scorn your offer I decline;
"But perils vast, and fated toils are mine."
He prest her hand, and hasted to repair,
With peaceful tidings from the royal fair.
As, to the city gates he past along,

Around his steps the blooming maidens throng,
From ev'ry side; ten thousand beauteous dames,
With looks of transport, and with loud acclaims.

1310

A train of waggons, rolling on the shore,
Gifts and refreshments to the strangers bore,
The band, in order, hear their chief report
The words of welcome from the Lemnian court;
Words, that with all a joyful hearing find;
For amorous wishes rose in every mind:
The soft desires, that beauty's queen inspir'd,
Anxious to work what Vulcan most desir'd;
From desolation to redeem his land,
And croud his altars with a manly band.

Now Jason seeks the Lemnian queen's abode;
And each, as chance directs, pursues his road.
By choice, Alcides at the ship remain'd;,
And for a guard a chosen few retain❜d.
No soft indulgence could admission find;
No fond delights subdue that mighty mind.

1320

1240

In choral songs, its joy the city breath'd,

And dance, and feast, and clouds of incense wreath'd. To Valcan, chief of the celestial throng,

Were sacrifices giv'n, and sacred song;

And his fair bride, the sov'ran queen of charms,

Was call'd propitious to their soft alarms.

Their voyage is deferr'd from day to day.

Still new pretences authorise delay.

Still had they linger'd, by delights enthrall'd;

But stern Alcides his companions call'd.

He view'd their weakness with indignant heart, 1250 He call'd them from the female train apart.

Reproachful he began-" Are then the band, "A troop of exiles from their native land?— "Have you, for consorts plough'd the billowy flood, "And scorn'd the virgins of your kindred blood? "Have we for this endur'd such mighty toil?— "As colonists to till the Lemnian soil? "Suits it the honour of your former praise, "With foreign dames, to waste inglorious days?