Page:Ovid's Metamorphoses (Vol. 1) - tr Garth, Dryden, et. al. (1727).djvu/292

208 Provided that the Triple Goddess join A strong Confed'rate in my bold Design. Thus was her Enterprize resolv'd; but still Three tedious Nights are wanting to fulfil The circling Crescents of th'encreasing Moon; Then, in the Height of her Nocturnal Noon, Medea steals from Court; her Ankles bare, Her Garments closely girt, but loose her Hair; Thus sally'd, like a solitary Sprite, She traverses the Terrors of the Night. Men, Beasts, and Birds in soft Repose lay charm'd, No boistrous Wind the Mountain-Woods alarm'd; Nor did those Walks of Love, the Myrtle Trees, Of am'rous Zephir hear the whisp'ring Breeze; All Elements chain'd in unactive Rest, No Sense but what the twinkling Stars exprest; To them (that only wak'd) she rears her Arms, And thus commences her mysterious Charms. She turn'd her thrice about, as oft she threw On her pale Tresses the Nocturnal Dew; Then yelling thrice a most enormous Sound, Her bare Knee bended on the flinty Ground, O Night (said she) thou Confident and Guide Of Secrets, such as Darkness ought to hide; Ye Stars and Moon, that, when the Sun retires, Support his Empire with succeeding Fires; And thou, great Hecate, Friend to my Design; Songs, mutt'ring Spells, your magick Forces join; And thou, O Earth, the Magazine that yields; The Midnight Sorcerer Drugs; Skies, Mountains, Fields; Ye wat'ry Pow'rs of Fountain, Stream, and Lake; Ye Sylvan Gods, and Gods of Night, awake, And gen'rously your Parts in my Adventure take. Oft by your Aid swift Currents I have led Thro' wandring Banks, back to their Fountain Head; Trans-