Page:Metamorphoses (Ovid, 1567).djvu/108

 O mother see, he sayes: with that Agauë howleth out: And writhed with hir necke awrie, and shooke hir haire about. And holding from his bodie tome his head in bloudie hands, She cries: fellowes in this deede our noble conquest stands. No sooner could the winde have blowen the rotten leaves from trees, When Winters frost hath bitten them, then did the hands of these Most wicked women Pentheys limmes from one another teare. The Thebanes being now by this example brought in feare, Frequent this newfound sacrifice, and with sweete frankinsence God Bacchus Altars lode with gifts in every place doe cense.



et would not stout Alcithoë, Duke Mineus daughter, bow The Orgies of this newfound God in conscience to allow But still she stiffly doth denie that Bacchus is the sonne Of Ioue: and in this heresie hir sisters with hir runne. The Priest had bidden holiday, and that as well the Maide As Mistresse (for the time aside all other businesse layde) In Buckskin cotes, with tresses loose, and garlondes on their heare, Should in their hands the leavie speares (surnamed Thyrsis) beare, Foretelling them that if they did the Goddes commaundement breake, He would with sore and grievous plagues his wrath upon them wreake. The women straight both yong and olde doe thereunto obay. Their yarne, their baskets, and their flax unsponne aside they lay, And burne to Bacchus frankinsence. Whome solemly they call By all the names and titles high that may to him befall: