A Hawk become, the feather'd Race's Foe,
He tries to ease his own by other's Woe.
A Wolf turn'd into Marble.
While they astonish'd heard the King relate
These Wonders of his hapless Brother's Fate;
The Prince's Herdsman at the Court arrives,
And fresh Surprize to all the Audience gives.
O Peleus, Peleus, dreadful News I bear,
He said; and trembled as he spoke for Fear.
The worst, affrighted Peleus bid him tell,
Whilst Ceyx too grew pale with friendly Zeal.
Thus he began: When Sol Mid-heav'n had gain'd,
And half his Way was past, and half remain'd,
I to the level Shore my Cattle drove,
And let them freely in the Meadows rove;
Some stretch'd at length admire the watry Plain,
Some crop'd the Herb, some wanton swam the Main.
A Temple stands of antique Make hard by,
Where no gilt Domes, nor Marble lure the Eye;
Unpolish'd Rafters bear it's lowly Height,
Hid by a Grove, as ancient, from the Sight.
Here Nereus, and the Nereids they adore;
I learnt it from the Man who thither bore
His Net, to dry it on the sunny Shore.
Adjoyns a Lake, inclos'd with Willows round,
Where swelling Waves have overflow'd the Mound,
And, muddy, stagnate on the lower Ground.
From thence a russling Noise increasing flies,
Strikes the still Shore, and frights us with Surprize.
Strait a huge Wolf rush'd from the marshy Wood,
His Jaws besmear'd with mingled Foam, and Blood.
Tho' equally by Hunger urg'd, and Rage,
His Appetite he minds not to asswage;
