Page:Ovid's Metamorphoses (Vol. 1) - tr Garth, Dryden, et. al. (1727).djvu/81

Book Was put to Hazard, and the Giant Race Our captive Skies were ready to imbrace: For tho' the Foe was fierce, the Seeds of all Rebellion, sprung from one Original; Now, wheresoever ambient Waters glide, All are corrupt, and all must be deftroy'd. Let me this Holy Protestation make, By Hell, and Hells inviolable Lake, I try'd whatever in the God-Head lay: But gangren'd Members must be lopt away, Before the nobler Parts are tainted to decay. There dwells below, a Race of Demi-Gods, Of Nymphs in Waters, and of Fawns in Woods: Who, tho' not worthy yet, in Heav'n to live, Let 'em, at least, enjoy that Earth we give. Can these be thought securely lodg'd below, When I my self, who no Superior know, I, who have Heav'n, and Earth at my Command, Have been attempted by Lycaon's Hand? At this a Murmur through the Synod went, And with one Voice they vote his Punishment. Thus, when conspiring Traytors dar'd to doom The Fall of Cæsar, and in him of Rome, The Nations trembled with a pious Fear; All anxious for their earthly Thunderer: Nor was their Care, O Cæsar, less esteem'd By thee, than that of Heav'n for Jove was deem'd: Who with his Hand, and Voice, did first restrain Their Murmurs, then resum'd his Speech again. The Gods to Silence were composed, and fate With Reverence, due to his superior State. Cancel your pious Cares; already he Has paid his Debt to Justice, and to me. Yet what his Crimes, and what my Judgments were, Remains for me thus briefly to declare. Rh