TRANSLATIONS, &c.
121
Blinded by Destiny; but the just gods
Disclos'd th' unnatʼral scene. In Thebes he sway'd,
With various ills by Heav'n's afflictive rod 295
Discomfited; but she thro' fell despair
Self-strangled, from the stings of mortal life
Fled to the shades, and her surviving son
With delegated furies fierce pursu'd.
An amiable image next appear'd, 300
Bright Chloris, of Amphion's lofty stem
The youngest bud: in sweet attractive pomp
On her the Graces ever-waiting smit
The heart of Neleus, whom the Pylian tribes
Homag'd with fealty: from their wedded love 305
Sprung Nestor, Chromius, and the boastful pow'r
Of Periclymenus, besides a nymph,
Pero, of form divine: her virgin vows
By many a prince were sought, but Neleus deign'd
To none her bed but him whose prowess'd arm 310
Should force from Phylace a furious herd
Of wild Thessalian beeves, t' avenge the dow'r
Which Iphiclus detain'd. This bold emprise
A seer accepted; but, in combat foil'd,
In thrall for twelve revolving moons he lay 315
Deep in a dungeon close immur'd, till found
Divine of Fate, by solving problems quaint
Which Iphiclus propos'd, who straight dismiss'd
The captive; so was Jove's high will complete.
Then Leda, spous'd by Tyndarus, I saw, 320
Disclos'd th' unnatʼral scene. In Thebes he sway'd,
With various ills by Heav'n's afflictive rod 295
Discomfited; but she thro' fell despair
Self-strangled, from the stings of mortal life
Fled to the shades, and her surviving son
With delegated furies fierce pursu'd.
An amiable image next appear'd, 300
Bright Chloris, of Amphion's lofty stem
The youngest bud: in sweet attractive pomp
On her the Graces ever-waiting smit
The heart of Neleus, whom the Pylian tribes
Homag'd with fealty: from their wedded love 305
Sprung Nestor, Chromius, and the boastful pow'r
Of Periclymenus, besides a nymph,
Pero, of form divine: her virgin vows
By many a prince were sought, but Neleus deign'd
To none her bed but him whose prowess'd arm 310
Should force from Phylace a furious herd
Of wild Thessalian beeves, t' avenge the dow'r
Which Iphiclus detain'd. This bold emprise
A seer accepted; but, in combat foil'd,
In thrall for twelve revolving moons he lay 315
Deep in a dungeon close immur'd, till found
Divine of Fate, by solving problems quaint
Which Iphiclus propos'd, who straight dismiss'd
The captive; so was Jove's high will complete.
Then Leda, spous'd by Tyndarus, I saw, 320
