Page:Batrachomyomachia, or, the Battle of the Frogs and Mice.djvu/6

Say, Who art thou? What Business brought thee here?
Tell whence thou cam'st, nor be controul'd by Fear.
Who is it boasts himself the Sire of thee?
Declare the Truth, and nought but Truth to me.
If thou to Friendship's holy Ties art bent,
Soon will I bring thee to our Royal Tent;
Soon shall our honorary Presents tell
How much I rev'rence those who merit well.
I am Physignathus, whose boundless Sway
All those that breath within this Lake obey;
And where Eridanus extends his Shore;
Hydromedusa me to Peleus bore.
Thou too, methinks, art of a Kingly Mien;
Fair is thy Form, and beauteous to be seen:
Dauntless at Danger in the Field of Death;
Speak, tell me then from whom thou drew'st thy Breath.

He ceas'd; and scornful thus the Mouse begun:
Hast thou ne'er seen the Prince that calls me Son?
Sure not a few of those who dwell below,
As well as Gods above my Parents know.
From great Troxartes' gen'rous Loins I came;

Troxartes