Page:Ovid's Metamorphoses (Vol. 2) - tr Garth, Dryden, et. al. (1727).djvu/192

174 And then for proof produc'd the golden Store, Himself had hidden in his Tent before: Thus of two Champions he depriv'd our Host, By Exile one, and one by Treason lost. Thus fights Ulysses, thus his Fame extends, A formidable Man, but to his Friends: Great, for what Greatness is in Words, and Sound, Ev'n faithful Nestor less in both is found: But that he might without a Rival reign, He left this faithful Nestor on the Plain; Forsook his Friend ev'n at his utmost Need, Who tir'd, and tardy with his wounded Steed, Cry'd out for Aid, and call'd him by his Name; But Cowardice has neither Ears nor Shame: Thus fled the good old Man, bereft of Aid, And, for as much as lay in him, betray'd: That this is not a Fable forg'd by me, Like one of his, Ulyssean Lie, I vouch ev'n Diomede, who tho' his Friend, Cannot that Act excuse, much less defend: He call'd him back aloud, and tax'd his Fear; And sure enough he heard, but durst not hear. The Gods with equal Eyes on Mortals look, He justly was forsaken, who forsook: Wanted that Succour, he refus'd to lend, Found ev'ry Fellow such another Friend: No wonder, if he roar'd that all might hear; His Elocution was increas'd by Fear: I heard, I ran, I found him out of Breath, Pale, trembling, and half dead with Fear of Death, Though he had judg'd himself by his own Laws, And stood condemn'd, I help'd the common Cause: With my broad Buckler hid him from the Foe; (Ev'n the Shield trembled as lie lay below;) And from impending Fate the Coward freed: Good Heav'n forgive me for so bad a Deed! If