Page:Ovid's Metamorphoses (Vol. 2) - tr Garth, Dryden, et. al. (1727).djvu/144

This page has been validated.
130
Ovid's Metamorphoses.
Book 11.

For as he lov'd her equal to his Life,
He would not to the Seas expose his Wife;
Nor could be wrought his Voyage to refrain,
But sought by Arguments to sooth her Pain:
Nor these avail'd; at length he lights on one,
With which so difficult a Cause he won:
My Love, so short an Absence cease to fear,
For by my Father's holy Flame I swear,
Before two Moons their Orb with Light adorn,
If Heav'n allow me Life, I will return.
This promise of so short a Stay prevails;
He soon equips the Ship, supplies the Sails,
And gives the Word to launch; she trembling views
This Pomp of Death, and parting Tears renews:
Last with a Kiss, she took a long Farewel,
Sigh'd with a sad Presage, and swooning fell:
While Ceyx seeks Delays, the lusty Crew,
Rais'd on their Banks, their Oars in Order drew
To their broad Breasts, the Ship with Fury flew.
The Queen recover'd, rears her humid Eyes,
And first her Husband on the Poop espies,
Shaking his Hand at Distance on the Main;
She took the Sign, and shook her Hand again.
Still as the Ground recedes, contracts her View
With sharpen'd Sight, till she no longer knew
The much-lov'd Face; that Comfort lost supplies
With less, and with the Galley feeds her Eyes;
The Galley born from View by rising Gales,
She follow'd with her Sight the flying Sails:
When ev'n the flying Sails were seen no more,
Forsaken of all Sight she left the Shore.
Then on her bridal Bed her Body throws,
And sought in Sleep her weary'd Eyes to close:
Her Husband's Pillow, and the widow'd Part
Which once he prest, renew'd the former Smart.

And