Page:Ovid's Metamorphoses (Vol. 2) - tr Garth, Dryden, et. al. (1727).djvu/17

Book 8. While circling Streams their former Banks survey, And Waters past succeeding Waters see: Now floating to the Sea with downward Course, Now pointing upward to its ancient Source. Such was the Work, so intricate the Place, That scarce the Workman all its Turns cou'd trace; And Dædalus was puzzled how to find The secret Ways of what himself design'd. These private Walls the Minotaure include, Who twice was glutted with Athenian Blood: But the third Tribute more successful prov'd, Slew the foul Monster, and the Plague remov'd. When Theseus, aided by the Virgin's Art, Had trac'd the guiding Thread thro' ev'ry Part, He took the gentle Maid, that set him free, And, bound for Dias, cut the briny Sea. There, quickly cloy'd, ungrateful, and unkind, Left his fair Consort in the Isle behind. Whom Bacchus saw, and straining in his Arms Her rifl'd Bloom, and violated Charms, Resolves, for this, the dear engaging Dame Shou'd shine for ever in the Rolls of Fame; And bids her Crown among the Stars be plac'd, With an eternal Constellation grac'd. The golden Circlet mounts; and, as it flies, Its Diamonds twinkle in the distant Skies; There, in their pristin Form, the gemmy Rays Between Alcides, and the Dragon blaze.

In tedious Exile now too long detain'd, Dædalus languish'd for his native Land: The Sea foreclos'd his Flight; yet thus he said; Tho' Earth and Water in Subjection laid, O