Page:Metamorphoses (Ovid, 1567).djvu/51

 I who at other tymes of talke was wont to be so free And stoute, had neere a worde to say, I was ashamde to take So fowle a foyle: the more because I could none answere make. But if I be of heavenly race exacted as ye say, Then shewe some token of that highe and noble byrth I pray. And vouche me for to be of heaven. With that he gently cast His armes about his mothers necke, and clasping hir full fast, Besought hir as she lovde his life, and as she lovde the lyfe Of Merops, and had kept hir selfe as undefiled wyfe, And as she wished welthily his sisters to bestowe, She would some token give whereby his rightfull Sire to knowe. It is a doubtful matter whither Clymen moved more With this hir Phaëtons earnest sute, exacting it so sore, Or with the slaunder of the bruit layde to hir charge before, Did holde up both hir handes to heaven, and looking on the Sunne, My right deare childe I safely sweare (quoth she to Phaëton) That of this starre the which so bright doth glister in thine eye: Of this same Sunne that cheares the world with light indifferently Wert thou begot: and if I fayne, then with my heart I pray, That never may I see him more unto my dying day. But if thou have so great desire thy father for to knowe, Thou shalt not neede in that behalfe much labour to bestowe. The place from whence he doth arise adjoyneth to our lande. And if thou thinke thy heart will serve, then go and understande The truth of him. When Phaëton heard his mother saying so, He gan to leape and skip for joye. He fed his fansie tho, Upon the Heaven and heavenly things: and so with willing minde, From Aethiop first his native home, and afterwarde through Inde Set underneath the morning starre he went so long, till as He founde me where his fathers house and dayly rising was.

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