Page:Metamorphoses (Ovid, 1567).djvu/76

 By chaunce the verie selfesame day the virgins of the towne Of olde and auncient custome bare in baskets on their crowne Beset with garlands fresh and gay and strowde with flowres sweete To Pallas towre such sacrifice as was of custome meete. The winged God beholding them returning in a troupe Continued not directly forth, but gan me downe to stoupe, And fetch a wyndlasse round about. And as the hungry kite Beholding unto sacrifice a Bullocke redie dight, Doth sore about his wished pray desirous for to snatche But that he dareth not for such as stand about and watch: So Mercurie with nimble wings doth keepe a lower gate About Minervas loftie towres in round and wheeling rate. As far as doth the Morning starre in cleare and streaming light Excell all other starres in heaven: as far also as bright Dame Phebe dimmes the Morning starre, so far did Herses face Staine all the Ladies of hir troupe: she was the verie grace And beautie of that solemne pompe, and all that traine so fayre. Joves sonne was ravisht with the sight, and hanging in the ayre Began to swelt within himselfe, in case as when the poulder Hath driven the Pellet from the Gunne, the Pellet ginnes to smoulder: And in his flying waxe more hote. In smoking brest he shrowdes His flames not brought from heaven above but caught beneath the clouds. He leaves his jorney toward heaven and takes another race Not minding any lenger time to hide his present case. So great a trust and confidence his beautie to him gave Which though it seemed of it selfe sufficient force to have, Yet was he curious for to make himselfe more fine and brave. He kembd his head and strokt his beard, and pried on every side To see that in his furniture no wrinkle might be spide. And forbicause his Cloke was fringde and garded brode with golde, He cast it on his shoulder up most seemely to beholde. He takes in hand his charmed rod that bringeth things asleepe And wakes them when he list againe. And lastly taketh keepe That on his faire welformed feete his golden shooes sit cleene, And that all other things therto well correspondent beene. In Cecrops Court were Chambers three set far from all resort With yvorie beddes all furnished in far most royall sort.