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294 Meseems, beside yon grassy heap

The way I well might find and keep,

To Pallanteum's town.'

The youth returns, while thirst of praise

Infects him with a strange amaze:

'Can Nisus aim at heights so great,

Nor take his friend to share his fate?

Shall I look on, and let you go

Alone to venture 'mid the foe?

Not thus my sire Opheltes, versed

In war's rude toil, my childhood nursed,

When Argive terror filled the air

And Troy was battling with despair:

Nor such the lot my youth has tried,

In hardship ever at your side,

Since, great Æneas' liegeman sworn,

I followed Fortune to her bourne:

Here, here within this bosom burns

A soul that mere existence spurns,

And holds the fame you seek to reap,

Though bought with life, were bought full cheap.'

'Not mine the thought' brave Nisus said

'To wound you with so base a dread:

So may great Jove, or whosoe'er

Marks with just eyes how mortals fare,

Protect me going, and restore

In triumph to your arms once more.

But if—for many a chance, you wis,

Besets an enterprise like this—

If accident or power divine

The scheme to adverse end incline,

Your life at least I would prolong:

Death does your years a deeper wrong.

Leave me a friend to tomb my clay,

Rescued or ransomed, which you may;