TRANSLATIONS, &c.
119
Thus we alternate, till a beauteous train
Of nobless near advance their steps, enlarg'd
By radiant Proserpine, daughters and wives
To kings and heroes old: the goary pool 240
The fair assembly thick surround, to sip
The tasteful liquid: I the fates of each
Desirous to hear storied, wave my sword
In airy circles, while they singly fate
Their appetites; then curious ask of each 245
Her ancestry, which all in order told.
Tyro first audience claim'd, the daughter fair
Of great Salmoneus; she with Cretheus shar'd
Connubial love, but long in virgin bloom
Enamour'd of Enipeus, inly pin'd; 250
Enipeus, swift from whose reclining urn
Rolls a delicious flood. His lovely form
Neptune assum'd, and the bright nymph beguil'd,
Wand'ring, love-pensive, near his amber stream:
Them plunging in the slopy flood receiv'd 255
Redounding; and to screen his am'rous theft,
On either side the parted waves up-rear'd
A crystal mound. Potent of rapt'rous joy,
And sated, thus he spake: "Hail, royal fair!
"Thy womb shall teem with twins, (a god's embrace
"Is ever fruitful) and those pledges dear 261
"Of our sweet casual bliss nurture and tend
"With a fond mother's care: hence homeward speed,
"And from all human ken our am'rous act
Of nobless near advance their steps, enlarg'd
By radiant Proserpine, daughters and wives
To kings and heroes old: the goary pool 240
The fair assembly thick surround, to sip
The tasteful liquid: I the fates of each
Desirous to hear storied, wave my sword
In airy circles, while they singly fate
Their appetites; then curious ask of each 245
Her ancestry, which all in order told.
Tyro first audience claim'd, the daughter fair
Of great Salmoneus; she with Cretheus shar'd
Connubial love, but long in virgin bloom
Enamour'd of Enipeus, inly pin'd; 250
Enipeus, swift from whose reclining urn
Rolls a delicious flood. His lovely form
Neptune assum'd, and the bright nymph beguil'd,
Wand'ring, love-pensive, near his amber stream:
Them plunging in the slopy flood receiv'd 255
Redounding; and to screen his am'rous theft,
On either side the parted waves up-rear'd
A crystal mound. Potent of rapt'rous joy,
And sated, thus he spake: "Hail, royal fair!
"Thy womb shall teem with twins, (a god's embrace
"Is ever fruitful) and those pledges dear 261
"Of our sweet casual bliss nurture and tend
"With a fond mother's care: hence homeward speed,
"And from all human ken our am'rous act
