The Phantom spoke; the ready Greeks obey'd,
And to the Tomb led the devoted Maid,
Snatch'd from her Mother, who with pious Care
Cherish'd this last Relief of her Despair.
Superior to her Sex, the fearless Maid
Approach'd the Altar, and around survey'd
The cruel Rites, and consecrated Knife,
Which Pyrrhus pointed at her guiltless Life,
Then as with stern Amaze intent he stood,
"Now strike, she said; now spill my Gen'rous Blood;
"Deep in my Breast, or Throat, your Dagger sheath,
"Whilft thus I stand prepar'd to meet my Death.
"For Life on terms of Slav'ry I despise:
"Yet sure no God approves this Sacrifice.
"O! cou'd I but conceal this dire Event
"From my sad Mother, I should dye content.
"Yet should she not with Tears my Death deplore,
"Since her own wretched Life demands them more.
"But let not the rude Touch of Man pollute
"A Virgin-Victim; 'tis a modest Suit.
"It best will please, whoe'er demands my Blood,
"That I untainted reach the Stygian Flood.
"Yet let one short, last, dying Prayer be heard;
"To Priam's Daughter pay this last Regard;
"'Tis Priam's Daughter, not a Captive, sues;
"Do not the Rites of Sepulture refuse.
"To my afflicted Mother, I implore,
"Free without Ransom my dead Corpse restore:
"Nor barter me for Gain, when I am cold;
"But be her Tears the Price, If I am sold:
"Time was she could have ransom'd me with Gold.
Thus as she pray'd, one common Shower of Tears
Burst forth, and stream'd from ev'ry Eye but hers.
Ev'n the Priest wept, and with a rude Remorse
Plung'd in her Heart the Steel's resistless Force.
Page:Ovid's Metamorphoses (Vol. 2) - tr Garth, Dryden, et. al. (1727).djvu/209
Book 13.
Ovid's Metamorphoses.
191
Her
