Page:Ovid's Metamorphoses (Vol. 1) - tr Garth, Dryden, et. al. (1727).djvu/265

Book 6. Argos, with Spartas, and Mycenæs Towns, And Calydon, yet free from fierce Diana's Frowns. Corinth for finest Brass well fam'd of old, Orthomenos for Men of Courage bold: Cleonæ lying in the lowly Dale, And rich Messenè with its fertile Vale: Pylos, for Nestor's City after fam'd, And Trœzen, not as yet from Pittheus nam'd. And those fair Cities, which are hem'd around By double Seas within the Isthmian Ground; And those, which farther from the Sea-coast stand, Lodg'd in the Bosom of the spacious Land. Who can believe it? Athens was the last: Tho' for Politeness fam'd for Ages past. For a strait Siege, which then their Walls enclos'd, Such Acts of kind Humanity oppos'd: And thick with Ships, from foreign Nations bound, Sea-ward their City lay invested round. These, with auxiliar Forces led from far, Tereus of Thrace, brave, and inur'd to War, Had quite defeated, and obtain'd a Name, The Warrior's Due, among the Sons of Fame. This, with his Wealth, and Pow'r, and ancient Line, From Mars deriv'd, Pandion's Thoughts incline His Daughter Procnè with the Prince to joyn. Nor Hymen, nor the Graces here preside, Nor Juno to befriend the blooming Bride; But Fiends with fun'ral Brands the Process led, And Furies waited at the Genial Bed: And all Night long the scriching Owl aloof, With baleful Notes, sate brooding o'er the Roof. With such ill Omens was the Match begun, That made them Parents of a hopeful Son. Now Thrace congratulates their seeming Joy, And they, in thankful Rites, their Minds employ. If