TRANSLATIONS, &c.
123
Theseus of old convey'd her, with intent
At Athens, link'd in love, with her to reign: 350
But stern Diana, by the guileful plea
Of Bacchus won, dissever'd soon their joys,
And caus'd the lovely nymph to fall forlorn
In Dia, with circumfluous seas ingirt,
Of nuptial rights defrauded. Next advance 355
Mæra and Clymenè, a beauteous pair;
And Eriphyle, whose once radiant charms
A cloud of sorrow dimm'd; for she, devoid
Of duteous love, for gold betray'd her lord.—
Here let me cease narration, nor relate 360
What other objects fair, daughters and wives
Of heroes old, I saw; for now the night
In clouded majesty has journey'd far,
Admonishing to rest, which with my mates,
Or here with you, my wearied nature craves; 365
Mean-time affianc'd in the gods and you
To speed my voyage to my native realm.
He ceas'd: a while th' attentive audience sat
In silent rapture; his persuasive tongue,
Mellifluous, so with eloquence had charm'd 370
Their still insatiate ears: at length thus spake
The queen Arete, graceful and humane.
"Think ye, Phæacians! that the godlike form,
"The port, the wisdom, of this wand'rer, claim
"Aught of regard? Peculiar him my guest 375
"I style; but since the honour he vouchsafes
At Athens, link'd in love, with her to reign: 350
But stern Diana, by the guileful plea
Of Bacchus won, dissever'd soon their joys,
And caus'd the lovely nymph to fall forlorn
In Dia, with circumfluous seas ingirt,
Of nuptial rights defrauded. Next advance 355
Mæra and Clymenè, a beauteous pair;
And Eriphyle, whose once radiant charms
A cloud of sorrow dimm'd; for she, devoid
Of duteous love, for gold betray'd her lord.—
Here let me cease narration, nor relate 360
What other objects fair, daughters and wives
Of heroes old, I saw; for now the night
In clouded majesty has journey'd far,
Admonishing to rest, which with my mates,
Or here with you, my wearied nature craves; 365
Mean-time affianc'd in the gods and you
To speed my voyage to my native realm.
He ceas'd: a while th' attentive audience sat
In silent rapture; his persuasive tongue,
Mellifluous, so with eloquence had charm'd 370
Their still insatiate ears: at length thus spake
The queen Arete, graceful and humane.
"Think ye, Phæacians! that the godlike form,
"The port, the wisdom, of this wand'rer, claim
"Aught of regard? Peculiar him my guest 375
"I style; but since the honour he vouchsafes
