Page:Ovid's Metamorphoses (Vol. 1) - tr Garth, Dryden, et. al. (1727).djvu/267

Book 6. Tereus beheld the Virgin, and admir'd, And with the Coals of burning Lust was fir'd: Like crackling Stubble, or the Summer Hay, When forked Lightnings o'er the Meadows play. Such Charms in any Breast might kindle Love, But him the Heats of inbred Lewdness move; To which, tho' Thrace is naturally prone, Yet his is still superior, and his own. Strait her Attendants he designs to buy, And with large Bribes her Governess would try: Herself with ample Gifts resolves to bend, And his whole Kingdom in th' Attempt expend: Or, snatch'd away by Force of Arms, to bear, And justify the Rape with open War. The boundless Passion boils within his Breast, And his projecting Soul admits no Rest. And now, impatient of the least Delay, By pleading Procnè's Cause, he speeds his Way: The Eloquence of Love his Tongue inspires, And, in his Wife's, he speaks his own Desires; Hence all his Importunities arise, And Tears unmanly trickle from his Eyes. Ye Gods! what thick involving Darkness blinds The stupid Faculties of mortal Minds! Tereus the Credit of Good-nature gains From these his Crimes; so well the Villain feigns. And, unsuspecting of his base Designs, In the Request fair Philomela joyns; Her snowy Arms her aged Sire embrace, And clasp his Neck with an endearing Grace: Only to see her Sister she entreats, A seeming Blessing, which a Curse compleats. Tereus surveys her with a luscious Eye, And in his Mind forestalls the blissful Joy: Her circling Arms a Scene of Lust inspire, And ev'ry Kiss foments the raging Fire. Fond-