Page:Ovid's Metamorphoses (Vol. 2) - tr Garth, Dryden, et. al. (1727).djvu/295

To Antium, last, his Course the Pilot guides;
Here, while the anchor'd Vessel safely rides,
(For now the ruffled Deep portends a Storm)
The spiry God unfolds his spheric Form,
Thro' large Indentings draws his lubric Train,
And seeks the Refuge of Apollo's Fane;
The Fane is situate on the yellow Shore:
When the Sea smil'd, and the Winds rag'd no more,
He leaves his Father's hospitable Lands,
And furrows, with his rattling Scales, the Sands
Along the Coast; at length the Ship regains,
And sails to Tibur, and Lavinum's Plains.
Here mingling Crowds to meet their Patron came,
Ev'n the chast Guardians of the Vestal Flame,
From every Part tumultuous they repair,
And joyful Acclamations rend the Air:
Along the flowry Banks, on either Side,
Where the tall Ship floats on the swelling Tide,
Dispos'd in decent Order Altars rise;
And crackling Incense, as it mounts the Skies,
The Air with Sweets refreshes; while the Knife,
Warm with the Victim's Blood, let's out the streaming Life.
The World's great Mistress, Rome, receives him now;
On the Mast's Top reclin'd he waves his Brow,
And from that Height surveys the great Abodes,
And Mansions, worthy of residing Gods.
The Land, a narrow Neck, it self extends,
Round which his Course the Stream divided bends;
The Stream's two Arms, on either side, are seen,
Stretch'd out in equal length; the Land between.
The Isle, so call'd from hence derives it's Name;
'Twas here the salutary Serpent came;
Nor sooner has he left the Latian Pine,
But he assumes again his Form divine,
And now no more the drooping City mourns,
Joy is again restor'd, and Health returns.

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