Where Cocalus the King, that gave him Aid,
Was, for his Kindness, with Esteem repaid.
Athens no more her doleful Tribute sent,
That Hardship gallant Theseus did prevent;
Their Temples hung with Garlands, they adore
Each friendly God, but most Minerva's Pow'r:
To her, to Jove, to All, their Altars smoak,
They each with Victims, and Perfumes invoke.
Now talking Fame, thro' every Grecian Town,
Had spread, immortal Theseus, thy Renown.
From him, the neighb'ring Nations in Distress,
In suppliant Terms implore a kind Redress.
The Story of Meleager, and Atalanta.
By Mr. Dryden.
From him, the Caledonians sought Relief;
Though valiant Meleagrus was their Chief.
The Cause, a Boar, who ravag'd far and near:
Of Cynthia's Wrath, th' avenging Minister.
For Oeneus with Autumnal Plenty bless'd,
By Gifts to Heaven his Gratitude express'd:
Cull'd Sheafs, to Ceres; to Lyæus, Wine;
To Pan, and Pales, offer'd Sheep and Kine;
And Fat of Olives, to Minerva's Shrine.
Beginning from the Rural Gods, his Hand
Was lib'ral to the Pow'rs of high Command:
Each Deity in ev'ry Kind was bless'd,
Till at Diana's Fane th' invidious Honour ceas'd.
Wrath touches ev'n the Gods; the Queen of Night,
Fir'd with Disdain, and jealous of her Right,
Unhonour'd though I am, at least, said she,
Not unreveng'd that impious Act shall be.
Swift as the Word, she sped the Boar away,
With Charge on those devoted Fields to prey.
