Page:Metamorphoses (Ovid, 1567).djvu/223

 That headlong from the holy towre of Pallas downe he thrue His Nephew, feyning him to fall by chaunce, which was not true. But Pallas (who doth favour wits) did stay him in his fall And chaunging him into a Bird did clad him over all With fethers soft amid the Aire. The quicknesse of his wit (Which erst was swift) did shed it selfe among his wings and feete. And as he Partrich hight before, so hights he Partrich still. Yet mounteth not this Bird aloft ne seemes to have a will To build hir nest in tops of trees among the boughes on hie But flecketh nere the ground and layes hir egges in hedges drie. And forbicause hir former fall she ay in minde doth beare, She ever since all lofty things doth warely shun for feare. And now forwearied Daedalus alighted in the land Within the which the burning hilles of firie Aetna stand. To save whose life King Cocalus did weapon take in hand, For which men thought him merciful. And now with high renowne Had Theseus ceast the wofull pay of tribute in the towne Of Athens. Temples decked were with garlands every where, And supplications made to Jove and warlicke Pallas were, And all the other Gods, to whome more honor for to show, Gifts, blud of beasts, and frankincense the people did bestow As in performance of their vowes. The right redoubted name Of Theseus through the lande of Greece was spred by flying fame. And now the folke that in the land of rich Achaia dwelt, Praid him of succor in the harmes and perils that they felt. Although the land of Calydon had then Meleager: Yet was it faine in humble wise to Theseus to prefer A supplication for the aide of him. The cause wherfore They made such humble suit to him was this. There was a Bore The which Diana for to wreake hir wrath conceyvde before Had thither as hir servant sent the countrie for to waast. For men report that Oenie when he had in storehouse plaast The full encrease of former yeare, to Ceres did assigne The firstlings of his corne and fruits: to Bacchus, of the Wine: And unto Pallas Olife oyle. This honoring of the Gods Of graine and fruits who put their help to toyling in the clods, Ambitiously to all, even those that dwell in heaven did clime.