Page:Miscellanies - With a biographical sketch by Ralph Waldo Emerson and a general index to the writings. -- by Thoreau, Henry David.djvu/338

318 By a sharp-mouthed fly, with frantic leaping

Rushed I to Cenchrea's palatable stream,

And Lerna's source; but a herdsman born-of-earth

Of violent temper, Argus, accompanied, with numerous

Eyes my steps observing.

But unexpectedly a sudden fate

Robbed him of life; and I, fly-stung,

By lash divine am driven from land to land.

You hear what has been done; and if you have to say aught,

What's left of labors, speak; nor pitying me

Comfort with false words; for an ill

The worst of all, I say, are made-up words. Ch. Ah! ah! enough, alas!

Ne'er, ne'er did I presume such cruel words

Would reach my ears, nor thus unsightly

And intolerable hurts, sufferings, fears with a two-edged

Goad would chill my soul;

Alas! alas! fate! fate!

I shudder, seeing the state of Io.

Pr. Beforehand sigh'st thou, and art full of fears,

Hold till the rest also thou learn' st.

Ch. Tell, teach; for to the sick 't is sweet

To know the remaining pain beforehand clearly. Pr. Your former wish ye got from me