Proudly she turns around her lofty eyes,
And thus reviles celestial deities:
"What madness drives the Theban ladies fair
"To give their incense to surrounding air?
"Say, why this new-sprung deity preferred?
"Why vainly fancy your petitions heard?
"Or say why Cœus' offspring is obeyed,
"While to my goddesship no tribute's paid?
"For me no altars blaze with living fires,
"No bullock bleeds, no frankincense transpires;
"Though Cadmus' palace not unknown to fame,
"And Phrygian rations all revere my name.
"Where er I turn my eyes vast wealth I find.
"Lo here an empress with a goddess joined.
"What! shall a Titaness be deified,
"To whom the spacious earth a couch denied?
"Nor heaven, nor earth, nor sea received your queen,
"Till pitying Deios took the wanderer in.
"Round me what a large progeny is spread!
"No frowns of fortune has my soul to dread.
"What if indignant she decrease my train?
"More than Latona's number will remain.
"Then hence, ye Theban dames, hence haste away,
"Nor longer offerings to Latona pay;
"Regard the orders of Amphion's spouse,
"And take the leaves of laurel from your brows."
Niobe spoke. The Theban maids obeyed,
Their brows unbound, and left the rites unpaid.
The angry goddess heard, then silence broke
On Cynthus' summit, and indignant spoke:
