"I viewed him nicely, and began to trace
"Each heav'nly Feature, each immortal Grace,
"And saw Divinity in all his Face.
"I know not who, said I, this God should be;
"But that he is a God I plainly see:
"And thou, who-e'er thou art, excuse the Force
"These Men have us'd; and oh befriend our Course!
"Pray not for us, the nimble Dictys cry'd,
"Dictys, that could the Main top-Mast bestride,
"And down the Ropes with active Vigour slide.
"To the same Purpose old Epopeus spoke,
"Who over-look'd the Oars, and tim'd the Stroke;
"The same the Pilot, and the same the rest;
"Such impious Avarice their Souls possest.
"Nay, Heav'n forbid that I should bear away
"Within my Vessel so divine a Prey,
"Said I; and stood to hinder their Intent:
"When Lycabas, a Wretch for Murder sent
"From Tuscany, to suffer Banishment,
"With his clench'd Fist had struck me over-board,
"Had not my Hands in falling grasp'd a Cord.
"His base Confederates the Fact approve;
"When Bacchus, (for 'twas he) begun to move,
"Wak'd by the Noise and Clamours which they rais'd;
"And shook his drowsie Limbs and round him gaz'd:
"What means this Noise? he cries; am I betray'd?
"Ah! whither, whither must I be convey'd?
"Fear not, said Proreus, Child, but tell us where
"You wish to land, and trust our friendly Care.
"To Naxos then direct your Course, said he;
"Naxos a hospitable Port shall be
"To each of you, a joyful Home to me.
"By ev'ry God, that rules the Sea or Sky,
"The perjur'd Villains promise to comply,
"And bid me hasten to unmoor the Ship.
"With eager Joy I launch into the Deep;
"And,