Page:Ovid's Metamorphoses (Vol. 1) - tr Garth, Dryden, et. al. (1727).djvu/92

20 He said, and soaring, swiftly wing'd his Flight: Nor stopt but on Parnassus' airy Height, Two diff'rent Shafts he from his Quiver draws; One to repel Desire, and one to cause. One Shaft is pointed with refulgent Gold: To bribe the Love, and make the Lover bold: One blunt, and tipt with Lead, whose base allay Provokes Disdain, and drives Desire away. The blunted Bolt against the Nymph he drest: But with the sharp transfixt Apollo's Breast. Th' enamour'd Deity pursues the Chace; The scornful Damsel shuns his loath'd Embrace; In hunting Beasts of Prey, her Youth employs; And Phœbe rivals in her rural Joys. With naked Neck she goes, and Shoulders bare; And with a Fillet binds her flowing Hair. By many Suitors sought, she mocks their pains, And still her vow'd Virginity maintains. Impatient of a Yoke, the name of Bride She shuns, and hates the Joys, she never try'd. On Wilds, and Woods she fixes her Desire: Nor knows what Youth, and kindly Love inspire. Her Father chides her oft; Thou ow'st, says he, A Husband to thy self, a Son to me. She, like a Crime, abhors the Nuptial Bed: She glows with Blushes, and she hangs her Head. Then casting round his Neck her tender Arms, Sooths him with Blandishments, and filial Charms: Give me, my Lord, she said, to live, and die A spotless Maid, without the Marriage Tye. 'Tis but a small Request; I beg no more Than what Diana's Father gave before. The good old Sire was soften'd to consent; But said her Wish wou'd prove her Punishment: For so much Youth, and so much Beauty join'd, Oppos'd the State, which her desires design'd. The