Page:Metamorphoses (Ovid, 1567).djvu/109

 As Bromius, and Lyeus eke, begotten of the flame, Twice borne, the sole and only childe that of two mothers came, Unshorne Thyoney, Niseus, Leneus, and the setter Of Wines, whose pleasant liquor makes all tables fare the better, Nyctileus and th'Elelean Sire, Iacchus, Evan eke, With divers other glorious names that through the land of Greke To thee O Liber wonted are to attributed bee. Thy youthfull yeares can never wast: there dwelleth ay in thee A childhod tender, fresh and faire: in Heaven we doe thee see Surmounting every other thing in beautie and in grace And when thou standste without thy homes thou hast a Maidens face. To thee obeyeth all the East as far as Ganges goes, Which doth the scorched land of Inde with tawnie folke enclose. Lycurgus with his twibill sharpe, and Penthey who of pride Thy Godhead and thy mightie power rebelliously denide, Thou right redowted didst confounde: thou into Sea didst send The Tyrrhene shipmen. Thou with bittes the sturdy neckes doste bend Of spotted Lynxes: throngs of Frowes and Satyres on thee tend, And that olde Hag that with a staffe his staggering limmes doth stay Scarce able on his Asse to sit for reeling every way. Thou commest not in any place but that is hearde the noyse Of gagling womens tatling tongues and showting out of boyes, With sound of Timbrels, Tabors, Pipes, and Brazen pannes and pots Confusedly among the rout that in thine Orgies trots. The Thebane women for thy grace and favour humbly sue, And (as the Priest did bid) frequent thy rites with reverence due. Alonly Mineus daughters bent of wilfulnesse, with working Quite out of time to breake the feast, are in their houses lurking: And there doe fall to spinning yarne, or weaving in the frame, And kepe their maidens to their worke. Of which one pleasant dame As she with nimble hand did draw hir slender threede and fine, Said: Whyle that others idelly doe serve the God of wine, Let us that serve a better Sainct Minerva, finde some talke To ease our labor while our handes about our profite walke. And for to make the time seeme shorte, let eche of us recite, (As every bodies turne shall come) some tale that may delight. Hir saying likte the rest so well that all consent therein,