Perimele turn'd into an Island.
But yonder far, lo, yonder does appear
An Isle, a Part to me for ever dear.
From that (it Sailors Perimele name)
I doating, forc'd by Rape a Virgin's Fame.
Hyppodamas's Passion grew so strong,
Gall'd with th' Abuse, and fretted at the Wrong,
He cast his pregnant Daughter from a Rock;
I spread my Waves beneath, and broke the Shock;
And as her swimming Weight my Stream convey'd,
I su'd for Help Divine, and thus I pray'd:
O pow'rful Thou, whose Trident does command
The Realm of Waters, which surround the Land;
We sacred Rivers, wheresoe'er begun,
End in thy Lot, and to thy Empire run.
With Favour hear and help with present Aid;
Her whom I bear 'twas guilty I betray'd.
Yet if her Father had been just, or mild,
He would have been less Impious to his Child;
In her, have pity'd Force in the Abuse;
In me admitted Love, for my Excuse.
O let Relief for her hard Case be found,
Her whom Paternal Rage expell'd from Ground,
Her whom Paternal Rage relentless drown'd.
Grant her some Place, or change her to a Place,
Which I may ever clasp with my Embrace.
His nodding Head the Sea's great Ruler bent,
And all his Waters shook with his Assent.
The Nymph still swam, tho' with the Fright distrest,
I felt her Heart leap trembling in her Breast;
But hardning soon, whilst I her Pulse explore,
A crusting Earth cas'd her stiff Body o'er;
And as Accretions of new cleaving Soil
Inlarg'd the Mass, the Nymph became an Isle.
