But he with manly Patience bore his Pains: He fear'd not Fate, but only griev'd to die Without an honest Wound, and by a Death so dry. 351 Happy Ancæus, thrice aloud he cry'd, And her to whom his Nuptial Vows were bound; Perhaps his Mother; a long Sigh he drew, And his Voice failing, took his last Adieu: For as the Flames augment, and as they stay At their full Height, then languish to decay, They rise, and sink by Fits; at last they soar 360 In one bright Blaze, and then descend no more: Just so his inward Heats at height, impair, Till the last burning Breath shoots out the Soul in Air. Now lofty Calidon in Ruines lies; All Ages, all Degrees unsluice their Eyes; And Heaven & Earth resound with Murmurs, Groans, & Cries. Matrons and Maidens beat their Breasts, and tear Their Habits, and root up their scatter'd Hair. The wretched Father, Father now no more, With Sorrow sunk, lies prostrate on the Floor, 370 Deforms his hoary Locks with Dust obscene, And curses Age, and loaths a Life prolong'd with Pain. By Steel her stubborn Soul his Mother freed, And punish'd on her self her impious Had I a hundred Tongues, a Wit so large Wou'd offer to describe his Sisters pain: 380 They beat their Breasts with many a bruizing Blow, Till they turn'd livid, and corrupt the Snow. The Corps they cherish, while the Corps remains, And exercise and rub with fruitless Pains; And when to Fun'ral Flames 'tis born DR. BAUCIS | AND | PHILEMON. OUT OF THE EIGHTH BOOK OF OVID'S METAMORPHOSES. Disguise Of mortal Men conceal'd their Deities; The Author, pursuing the Deeds of Theseus, | Here Jove with Hermes came; but in relates how He, with his friend Perithous, were invited by Achelous, the River-God, to slay with him, till his Waters were abated. Achelous entertains them with a Relation of his own Love lo Perimele, who was chang'd into an Island by Neptune, at his Request. Perithous, being an Atheist, derides the Legend, and denies the Power of the Gods to work that Miracle. Lelex, another Com-A panion of Theseus, to confirm the Story of Achelous, relates another Metamorphosis of Baucis and Philemon into Trees; of which he was partly an Eye-witness. Then Lelex rose, an old experienc'd Man, By Proof to clear your Doubt; In Phrygian Two neighb'ring Trees, with Walls encom- Stand on a mod'rate Rise, with wonder One a hard Oak, a softer Linden one : Not far from thence is seen a Lake, the Haunt BAUCIS AND PHILEMON. The text from the original edition of 1700. In 160 'Crotches' is certainly Dryden's form. Not one of all the thousand but was lock'd. 30 Was thatch'd with Reeds and Straw together bound. There Baucis and Philemon liv'd, and there' Inur'd to Want, their Poverty they bore, Or rather both commanded, both obey'd. 40 Door: Before their Guests; in this they bath'd their Feet, And after with clean Towels dry'd their Sweat: This done, the Host produc'd the genial Bed,) Sallow the Feet, the Borders, and the Sted, Which with no costly Coverlet they spread; But course old Garments, yet such Robes as these 80 They laid alone, at Feasts, on Holydays. So was the mended Board exactly rear'd: Pallas began the Feast, where first were With Liquor of the best the Cottage cou'd afford. This was the Tables Ornament and Pride, With Figures wrought: Like Pages at his Side Stood Beechen Bowls; and these were shining clean, Vernish'd with Wax without, and lin'd within. Dry Figs, and Grapes, and wrinkl'd Dates were set In Canisters, t'enlarge the little Treat But the kind Hosts their Entertainment grace With hearty Welcom, and an open Face: and still, Though often empty'd, were observ'd to fill ; Fill'd without Hands, and of their own accord Ran without Feet, and danc'd about the Board. Devotion seiz'd the Pair, to see the Feast With Wine, and of no common Grape, increas'd; 98 rear] The editors change to rare And up they held their Hands, and fell to Pray'r, Excusing, as they cou'd, their Country Fare. One Goose they had, ('twas all they cou'dy allow) 130 A wakeful Cent'ry, and on Duty now, Whom to the Gods for Sacrifice they vow:) Her, with malicious Zeal, the Couple view'd; She ran for Life, and limping they pursu'd: Full well the Fowl perceiv'd their bad intent, And wou'd not make her Masters Compliment; But persecuted, to the Pow'rs she flies, And close between the Legs of Jove she lies. He with a gracious Ear the Suppliant heard, And sav'd her Life; then what he was declar'd, 140 And own'd the God. The Neighbourhood, said he, Shall justly perish for Impiety: You stand alone exempted; but obey With speed, and follow where we lead the way: Leave these accurs'd; and to the Mountains Height Ascend; nor once look backward in your Flight. They haste, and what their tardy Feet deny'd, The trusty Staff (their better Leg) supply'd. An Arrows Flight they wanted to the Top, And there secure, but spent with Travel, stop; 150 Then turn their now no more forbidden Lost in a Lake the floated Level lies: Their Neighbours Fate, and Country now no The Pavement polish'd Marble they behold, The Gates with Sculpture grac'd, the Spires and Tiles of Gold. Then thus the Sire of Gods, with Look serene, Speak thy Desire, thou only Just of Men; Philemon thus prefers their joint Request : The Godheads sign their Suit. They run their Race In the same Tenor all th' appointed Space; Then, when their Hour was come, while they relate 181 These past Adventures at the Temple-gate, Old Baucis is by old Philemon seen Sprouting with sudden Leaves of spritely Green : Old Baucis look'd where old Philemon stood, New Roots their fasten'd Feet begin to bind, They give and take at once their last Adieu; At once, Farewell, O faithful Spouse, they said; At once th' incroaching Rinds their closing Lips invade. 190 Ev'n yet, an ancient Tyanæan shows I saw my self the Garlands on their Boughs, 163 Look] The editors wrongly give Looks THE FABLE OF IPHIS AND IANTHE, FROM THE NINTH BOOK OF OVID'S METAMORPHOSES. THE Fame of this, perhaps, through Crete | A Mitre for a Crown, she wore on high ; had flown; But Crete had newer Wonders of her own, (As loud Report the Miracle resounds) Who to his Wife, before the time assign'd For Child-Birth came, thus bluntly spoke his mind: If Heav'n, said Lygdus, will vouchsafe to hear, 10 I have but two Petitions to prefer; Girls cost as many throws in bringing forth; If, therefore, thou a Creature shalt produce, Of so great Charges, and so little Use, (Bear Witness, Heav'n, with what reluctancy) 20 Her hapless Innocence I doom to dye. 30 Before th' approaches of returning light And yellow Sheaves her shining Temples grac'd: The Dog and dappl'd Bull were waiting by ; 41 She heard a Voice that thus distinctly spake. My Votary, thy Babe from Death defend, Nor fear to save whate're the Gods will send. Delude withArt thy Husband's dire Decree ;) When danger calls, repose thy trust on me; And know thou hast not serv'd a thankless Deity. This Promise made; with Night the Goddess fled : With Joy the Woman wakes, and leaves her Bed: Devoutly lifts her spotless hands on high; 50 And prays the Pow'rs their Gift to ratifie. Now grinding pains proceed to bearing throws, Till its own weight the burden did disclose. 'Twas of the beauteous Kind; and brought to light With secresie, to shun the Father's sight. Th' indulgent Mother did her Care employ ; And pass'd it on her Husband for a Boy. The Nurse was conscious of the Fact alone; The Father paid his Vows, as for a Son; And call'd him Iphis, by a common Name, Which either Sex with equal right may claim. Iphis his Grandsire was: pleas'd, 61 the Wife was Of half the fraud by Fortune's favour eas'd: The doubtful Name was us'd without deceit And Truth was cover'd with a pious Cheat. The Habit shew'd a Boy, the beauteous Face With manly fierceness mingled Female grace. Now thirteen years of Age were swiftly Of settling in the World his only Son. IPHIS AND LANTHE. Text from the original of anthe was his choice; so wondrous fair, 1693. 70/ ller Form alone with Iphis cou'd compare: |