Page:Ovid's Metamorphoses (Vol. 2) - tr Garth, Dryden, et. al. (1727).djvu/66

Her tender Mother's only Hope and Pride,
(My self the Offspring of a second Bride)
This Nymph compress'd by him who rules the Day,
Whom Delphi, and the Delian Isle obey,
Andræmon lov'd; and blest in all those Charms
That pleas'd a God, succeeded to her Arms.
A Lake there was, with shelving Banks around,
Whose verdant Summit fragrant Myrtles crown'd,
Those Shades unknowing of the Fates, she sought,
And to the Naiads fiow'ry Garlands brought;
Her smiling Babe (a pleasing Charge) she prest
Between her Arms, and nourish'd at her Breast.
Not distant far a watry Lotos grows;
The Spring was new, and all the verdant Boughs,
Adorn'd with Blossoms, promis'd Fruits that vye
In glowing Colours with the Tyrean Dye,
Of these she cropt, to please her Infant Son,
And I my self the same rash Act had done,
But, lo! I saw (as near her side I stood)
The violated Blossoms drop with Blood;
Upon the Tree I cast a frightful Look,
The trembling Tree with sudden Horror shook.
Lotis the Nymph (if rural Tales be true)
As from Priapus' lawless Lust she flew,
Forsook her Form; and fixing here became
A flow'ry Plant, which still preserves her Name.
This Change unknown, astonish'd at the sight,
My trembling Sister strove to urge her Flight;
Yet first the Pardon of the Nymphs implor'd,
And those offended Sylvan Pow'rs ador'd:
But when she backward would have fled, she found
Her stiff'ning Feet were rooted to the Ground:
In vain to free her fasten'd Feet she strove,
And as she struggles, only moves above;
She feels th' incroaching Bark around her grow,
By slow Degrees, and cover all below:

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