Give me no more to suffer such a Shame;
But change the Woman, for a better Name;
One Gift for all: She said; and while she spoke,
A stern, majestick, manly Tone she took.
A Man she was: And as the Godhead swore,
To Cæneus turn'd, who Cænis was before.
To this the Lover adds, without Request,
No force of Steel shou'd violate his Breast.
Glad of the Gift, the new-made Warrior goes;
And arms among the Greeks, and longs for equal Foes.
The Skirmish between the Centaurs and
Lapithites.
Now brave Perithous, bold Ixion's Son,
The Love of fair Hippodamè had won.
The Cloud-begotten Race, half Men, half Beast,
Invited, came to grace the Nuptial Feast:
In a cool Cave's Recess the Treat was made,
Whose Entrance, Trees with spreading Boughs o'ershade.
They sate: and summon'd by the Bridegroom, came.
To mix with those, the Lapythæan Name:
Nor wanted I: The Roofs with Joy resound:
And Hymen, Io Hymen, rung around.
Rais'd Altars shone with holy Fires; the Bride,
Lovely her self (and lovely by her Side
A Bevy of bright Nymphs, with sober Grace)
Came glitt'ring like a Star, and took her Place.
Her Heav'nly Form beheld, all wish'd her Joy;
And little wanted, but in vain, their Wishes all employ.
For one, most Brutal, of the Brutal Brood,
Or whether Wine, or Beauty fir'd his Blood,
Or both at once, beheld with lustful Eyes
The Bride; at once resolv'd to make his Prize.
Down went the Board; and fastning on her Hair,
He seiz'd with sudden Force the frighted Fair.
