Page:Ovid's Metamorphoses (Vol. 1) - tr Garth, Dryden, et. al. (1727).djvu/115

Book 2. With wingy Speed outstrip the Eastern Wind, And leave the Breezes of the Morn behind. The Youth was light, nor cou'd he fill the Seat, Or poise the Chariot with its wonted Weight: But as at Sea th' unballass'd Vessel rides, Cast to and fro, the Sport of Winds and Tides; So in the bounding Chariot toss'd on high, The Youth is hurry'd headlong through the Sky. Soon as the Steeds perceive it, they forsake Their stated Course, and leave the beaten Track. The Youth was in a Maze, nor did he know Which way to turn the Reins, or where to go; Nor wou'd the Horses, had he known, obey. Then the Sev'n Stars first felt Apollo's Ray, And wish'd to dip in the forbidden Sea. The folded Serpent next the frozen Pole, Stiff and benum'd before, began to rowle, And rag'd with inward Heat, and threaten'd War, And shot a redder Light from ev'ry Star; Nay, and 'tis said Bootes too, that fain Thou wou'd'st have fled, tho cumber'd with thy Wane. Th' unhappy Youth then, bending down his Head, Saw Earth and Ocean far beneath him spread. His Colour chang'd, he startled at the Sight, And his Eyes darken'd by too great a Light. Now cou'd he wish the fiery Steeds untry'd, His Birth obscure, and his Request deny'd: Now wou'd he Merops for his Father own, And quit his boasted Kindred to the Sun. So fares the Pilot, when his Ship is tost In troubled Seas, and all its Steerage lost, He gives her to the Winds, and in Despair Seeks his last Refuge in the Gods and Pray'r. What cou'd he do? his Eyes, if backward cast, Find a long Path he had already past; If