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Forth iſſu'd, brandiſhing his fatal Dart
Made to deſtroy: I fled, and cry'd out Death;
Hell trembl'd at the hideous Name, and ſigh'd
From all her Caves, and back reſounded Death.
790I fled, but he purſu'd (though more, it ſeems,
Inflam'd with luſt than rage) and ſwifter far,
Me overtook his mother all diſmaid,
And in embraces forcible and foule
Ingendring with me, of that rape begot
Theſe yelling Monſters that with ceaſleſs cry
Surround me, as thou ſawſt, hourly conceiv'd
And hourly born, with ſorrow infinite
To me, for when they liſt into the womb
That bred them they return, and howle and gnaw
800My Bowels, their repaſt; then burſting forth
Afreſh with conſcious terrours vex me round,
That reſt or intermiſſion none I find.
Before mine eyes in oppoſition ſits
Grim Death my Son and foe, who ſets them on,
And me his Parent would full ſoon devour
For want of other prey, but that he knows
His end with mine involved; and knows that I
Should prove a bitter Morsel, and his bane,
When ever that ſhall be; ſo Fate pronounc'd.
810But thou O Father, I forewarn thee, ſhun
His deadly arrow; neither vainly hope
To be invulnerable in thoſe bright Arms,
Through temper'd heav’nly, for that mortal dint,
Save he who reigns above, none can reſiſt.
⁠She finiſh'd, and the ſuttle Fiend his lore
Soon learned, now milder, and thus anſwerd ſmooth.
Dear Daughter, ſince thou claim’ſt me for thy Sire,