Page:Ovid's Metamorphoses (Vol. 2) - tr Garth, Dryden, et. al. (1727).djvu/24

16 Of Action eager, and intent in Thought, The Chiefs their honourable Danger sought: A Valley stood below; the common Drain Of Waters from above, and falling Rain: The Bottom was a moist, and marshy Ground, Whose Edges were with bending Oziers crown'd: The knotty Bulrush next in order stood, And all within of Reeds a trembling Wood. From hence the Boar was rous'd, and sprung amain Like Lightning sudden, on the Warrior-Train; Beats down the Trees before him, shakes the Ground, The Forest echoes to the crackling Sound; Shout the fierce Youth, and Clamours ring around. All stood with their protended Spears prepar'd, With broad Steel Heads the brandish'd Weapons glar'd. The Beast impetuous with his Tusks aside Deals glancing Wounds; the fearful Dogs divide: All spend their Mouths aloof, but none abide. Echion threw the first, but miss'd his Mark, And stuck his Boar-spear on a Maple's Bark. Then Jason; and his Javelin seem'd to take, But fail'd with Over-force, and whiz'd above his Back. Mopsus was next; but e'er he threw, address'd To Phœbus, thus: O Patron, help thy Priest: If I adore, and ever have ador'd Thy Pow'r Divine, thy present Aid afford; That I may reach the Beast. The God allow'd His Pray'r, and smiling, gave him what he cou'd: He reach'd the Savage, but no Blood he drew, Dian unarm'd the Javelin, as it flew. This chas'd the Boar, his Nostrils Flames expire, And his red Eye-balls roul with living Fire. Whirl'd from a Sling, or from an Engine thrown, Amid the Foes, so flies a mighty Stone, As flew the Beast: The Left Wing put to Flight, The Chiefs o'er-born, he rushes on the Right. Epa-