"Thy treasur'd counsels I would gladly bear, "The Colchian shores our patient search confound, He ceas'd-and thus the venerable seer 580 "Oh son, when thou shalt pass those rocks of fear, "With mind elated, in thyself confide."For what remains, a god shall be thy guide. "Guides you shall find, as far as Ea's* wall. "Care of your voyage thence on Heav'n will fall. "But mark, my friends, to guard from future harms, "How much depends upon the queen of charms."Her artful aid, her blandishments you need, "To bid your daring, and your toils succeed. "Go, generous youths, your destiny pursue. ་་ Enquire no more— -'tis hid from mortal view." -Agenor's offspring† ended.—The wing'd pair,‡ On sounding plumes, came rushing thro' the air. 590 The threshold scarce they touch'd with nimble feet, Th' heroic band rush'd forth the youths to greet. Then Zetes hastes th' enquiring crowd to teach, Tho' weary pantings interrupt his speech; "How far from thence the harpies they pursued; "How Iris came to save the ravening brood; "Yet pitying Phineus, how, by Styx she swore, "The hateful race should torture him no more. " And how th' ill-omen'd birds-(as terror wrought "The caverns deep of Cretan mountains sought. 600 * Ea, the capital city of Colchos, and residence of Eetes. + Phineus. Calais and "Zetes. Th' assembled heroes were with pleasure fill'd; 610 "Some pitying god, O Phineus, mark'd thy grief, "And urg'd our sails from far to thy relief; "That Boreas' sons might chase thy plagues away."Oh could we but restore thy visual ray!"Scarce could the joys of home my soul delight, "Like thy recovery of ravish'd sight.". But, Phineus answer'd, with a downcast brow."'Tis past-not Heav'n could remedy bestow; "For, wither'd from their orbs, the balls of sight, "Tell me, no more to hope for chearing light."No-let your friendship pray the gods to send "A speedy transit, and a peaceful end. "Then, boundless joys of vision shall be mine; "Where fields of bliss in purest æther shine." 620 Alternate, thus, they listen'd, and they spoke; Till ruddy morning on their converse broke. Round Phineus day convok'd a mingled train, With wonted aid, from all th' adjacent plain. Without distinction, thro' th' assembled band, Of who bestow'd, or came with niggard hand, With tongue inspir'd, the reverend prophet told Such truths, as Heav'n allow'd him to unfold; Their griefs to comfort, or their weakness aid; And grateful love their sacred truths repay'd.Parebius, with th' observant throng was near, A name above the rest to Phineus dear, Well pleas'd, th' assembled heroes to behold, Since, told by Phineus, he had learn'd of old, That led, from Greece a long predestin'd race, To Colchos bound, the harpy brood should chace; Then, borne to Thynis, 'mid the watʼry roar, Should bind their cables to the rocky shore. 630 The rev'rend prophet, now, dispatch'd the rest, With prudent words, that calm'd each anxious breast; He bids Parebius only, of the train, Selected favourite, with the chiefs remain, And seek the folds, obedient to his voice, 640 650 Among the sheep, to cull the prime, and choice.As, from th' abode, on this behest, he ran; Thus mildly to the Greeks, the seer began."Not all mankind, my friends, in violence trust. "Nor are they all ungrateful, and unjust. "In him, that parted hence,* a proof we find, "Of virtuous nature, and the grateful mind. "Worn out with toils, the mark of fortune's hate, "Hither he came, to learn his future fate. "From toil no respite, to release from pains, "His father's sins the victim wretch sustains. "As in the mountain, with repeated stroke, "The churlish father fell'd the stubborn oak, "Impious he scorn'd the Hamadryad's pray'r, "And smote the tree coeval with the fair, "With streaming tears she pleads, and suppliant strain, "To that unfeeling churl, but pleads in vain."Oh rustic stay, nor wound the hallow'd rind, "For ages with that stem I live entwin'd."With pride of brutal strength his bosom swell'd, "He rais'd his cruel arm-the trunk he fell'd-"In cruel hour.-For him, and his, remain “Unfruitful labour, poverty, and pain. "The wretched son resorted to my skill, "Soon I perceiv'd the fatal cause of ill. "The guilt, his father had incurr'd, to chase, "I bade his pious hands an altar place, "Sacred to her, th' offended Thynian maid,† "Where due oblations should for sin be paid. * Parebius. + The Hamadryade. 660 670 "By me to shun the destin'd sorrows taught; -- He ceas'd-the good Parebius was at hand- Far from Emonia'st bounds the prize he bore. 680 690 He bade the train the lovely mourner keep. 700 Not long averse the lovely mourner frown'd. A beauteous boy their mutual wishes crown'd. of *Peneüs, a river of Thessaly. t Thessaly was so called. For the remaining names persons and places, see the notes in vol. 2. His parents Aristeus call'd the child, Agreus, and Nomius, by th' Æmonians styľ'd. Where stately Othrys waves his shady brow, And o'er the Cyclades his fury shed; With fiery shafts he parch'd the gaping plain; And plague, and famine, hover'd in his train.- 720 The wretched habitants relief demand, By Phebus warn'd, from Aristeus' hand. Th' obedient son his father's mandate hears; To Saturn's son, and the red Dog-star's beam. 730 * An island. + From a Greek word, signifying moisture. |