Page:Ovid's Metamorphoses (Vol. 2) - tr Garth, Dryden, et. al. (1727).djvu/105

Book 10. As when a Pine is hew'd upon the Plains, And the last mortal Stroke alone remains, Lab'ring in Pangs of Death, and threatning all, This way, and that she nods, consid'ring where to fall: So Myrrha's Mind, impell'd on either Side, Takes ev'ry Bent, but cannot long abide; Irresolute on which she shou'd relie, At last, unfix'd in all, is only fix'd to die. On that sad Thought she rests, resolv'd on Death; She rises, and prepares to choak her Breath: Then while about the Beam her Zone she ties, Dear Cinyras farewel, she softly cries; For thee I die, and only wish to be Not hated, when thou know'st I die for thee: Pardon the Crime, in Pity to the Cause: This said, about her Neck the Noose she draws. The Nurse, who lay without, her faithful Guard, Though not the Words, the Murmurs over-heard, And Sighs, and hollow Sounds: Surpriz'd with Fright, She starts, and leaves her Bed, and springs a Light; Unlocks the Door, and entring out of Breath, The Dying saw, and Instruments of Death; She shrieks, she cuts the Zone with trembling Haste, And in her Arms her fainting Charge embrac'd; Next, (for she now had Leisure for her Tears) She weeping ask'd, in these her blooming Years, What unforeseen Misfortune caus'd her Care, To loath her Life, and languish in Despair! The Maid, with down-cast Eyes, and mute with Grief For Death unfinish'd, and ill-tim'd Relief, Stood sullen to her Suit: The Beldame press'd The more to know, and bar'd her wither'd Breast, Adjur'd her by the kindly Food she drew From those dry Founts, her secret Ill to shew. Sad Myrrha sigh'd, and turn'd her Eyes aside: The Nurse still urg'd, and wou'd not be deny'd: Rh