Page:Metamorphoses (Ovid, 1567).djvu/200

 As yet might from Oenopia walles the Cretish fleete be kend. When thitherward with puffed sayles and wind at will did tend A ship from Athens, which anon arriving at the strand Set Cephal with Ambassade from his Countrimen aland. The Kings three sonnes though long it were since last they had him seene, Yet knew they him. And after olde acquaintance eft had beene Renewde by shaking hands, to Court they did him streight convay. This Prince which did allure the eyes of all men by the way, As in whose stately person still remained to be seene The markes of beautie which in flowre of former yeares had beene, Went holding out an Olife braunch that grew in Atticke lande And for the reverence of his age there went on eyther hand A Nobleman of yonger yeares. Sir Clytus on the right And Butes on the left, the sonnes of one that Pallas hight. When greeting first had past betweene these Nobles and the King, Then Cephal setting streight abroche the message he did bring, Desired aide: and shewde what leagues stoode then in force betweene His countrie and the Aeginites, and also what had beene Decreed betwixt their aunceters, concluding in the ende That under colour of this war which Minos did pretende To only Athens, he in deede the conquest did intende Of all Achaia. When he thus by helpe of learned skill His countrie message furthred had, King Aeacus leaning still His left hand on his scepter, saide: My Lordes, I would not have Your state of Athens seeme so straunge as succor here to crave. I pray commaund. For be ye sure that what this Ile can make Is yours. Yea all that ere I have shall hazard for your sake. I want no strength. I have such store of souldiers, that I may Both vex my foes and also keepe my Realme in quiet stay. And now I thinke me blest of God that time doth serve to showe Without excuse the great good will that I to Athens owe. God holde it sir (quoth Cephalus) God make the number grow Of people in this towne of yours: it did me good alate When such a goodly sort of youth of all one age and rate Did meete me in the streete. But yet me thinkes that many misse Which at my former being here I have beheld ere this.