Page:Ovid's Metamorphoses (Vol. 2) - tr Garth, Dryden, et. al. (1727).djvu/90

Then first ('tis said) by sacred Verse subdu'd,
The Furies felt their Cheeks with Tears bedew'd:
Nor could the rigid King, or Queen of Hell,
Th' Impulse of Pity in their Hearts repel.
Now, from a Troop of Shades that last arriv'd,
Eurydice was call'd, and stood reviv'd.
Slow she advanc'd, and halting seem'd to feel
The fatal Wound, yet painful in her Heel.
Thus he obtains the Suit so much desir'd,
On strict Observance of the Terms requir'd:
For if, before he reach the Realms of Air,
He backward cast his Eyes to view the Fair,
The forfeit Grant, that Instant, void is made,
And she for ever left a lifeless Shade.
Now thro' the noiseless Throng their Way they bend,
And both with Pain the rugged Road ascend;
Dark was the Path, and difficult, and steep,
And thick with Vapours from the smoaky Deep.
They well-nigh now had pass'd the Bounds of Night,
And just approach'd the Margin of the Light,
When he, mistrusting lest her Steps might stray,
And gladsome of the Glympse of dawning Day,
His longing Eyes, impatient, backward cast
To catch a Lover's Look, but look'd his last;
For, instant dying, she again descends,
While he to empty Air his Arms extends.
Again she dy'd, nor yet her Lord reprov'd;
What could she say, but that too well he lov'd?
One last Farewel she spoke, which scarce he heard;
So soon she dropt, so sudden disappear'd,
All stunn'd he stood, when thus his Wife he view'd
By second Fate, and double Death subdu'd:
Not more Amazement by that Wretch was shown,
Whom Cerberus beholding, turn'd to Stone;
Nor Olenus cou'd more astonish'd look,
When on himself Lethæa's Fault he took.

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