Page:Ovid's Metamorphoses (Vol. 2) - tr Garth, Dryden, et. al. (1727).djvu/107

Book 10. At this, on high the Beldame holds her Hands, And trembling both with Age, and Terror stands; Adjures, and falling at her Feet intreats, Sooths her with Blandishment, and frights with Threats, To tell the Crime intended, or disclose What Part of it she knew, if she no farther knows. And last; if conscious to her Counsel made, Confirms anew the Promise of her Aid. Now Myrrha rais'd her Head; but soon oppress'd With Shame, reclin'd it on her Nurse's Breast; Bath'd it with Tears, and strove to have confess'd: Twice she began, and stopp'd; again she try'd; The falt'ring Tongue its Office still deny'd. At last her Veil before her Face she spread, And drew a long preluding Sigh, and said, O happy Mother, in thy Marriage-bed! Then groan'd, and ceas'd. The good old Woman shook, Stiff were her Eyes, and ghastly was her Look: Her hoary Hair upright with Horror stood, Made (to her Grief) more knowing than she wou'd. Much she reproach'd, and many things she said, To cure the Madness of th' unhappy Maid, In vain: For Myrrha stood convict of Ill; Her Reason vanquish'd but unchang'd her Will: Perverse of Mind, unable to reply; She stood resolv'd, or to possess or die. At length the Fondness of a Nurse prevail'd Against her better Sense, and Virtue fail'd: Enjoy, my Child, since such is thy Desire, Thy Love, she said; she durst not say, thy Sire: Live, though unhappy, live on any Terms; Then with a second Oath her Faith confirms. The solemn Feast of Ceres now was near, When long white Linnen Stoles the Matrons wear; Rank'd in Procession walk the pious Train, Off'ring First-fruits, and Spikes of yellow Grain: Rh