Page:Ovid's Metamorphoses (Vol. 2) - tr Garth, Dryden, et. al. (1727).djvu/271

Book 15. Nor this alone! but Heav'n it self to bribe, We to the Gods our impious Acts ascribe: First recompence with Death their Creatures Toil; Then call the Bless'd above to share the Spoil: The fairest Victim, must the Pow'rs appease, (So fatal 'tis sometimes too much to please!) A purple Fillet his broad Brows adorns, With flow'ry Garlands crown'd, and gilded Horns: He hears the murd'rous Pray'r the Priest prefers, But understands not, 'tis his Doom he hears: Beholds the Meal betwixt his Temples cast, (The Fruit and Product of his Labours past;) And in the Water views perhaps the Knife Uplifted, to deprive him of his Life; Then broken up alive, his Entrails sees Torn out, for Priests t'inspect the Gods Decrees. From whence, O mortal Men, this Gust of Blood Have you deriv'd, and interdicted Food? Be taught by me this dire Delight to shun, Warn'd by my Precepts, by my Practice won: And when you eat the well-deserving Beast, Think, on the Lab'rour of your Field you feast! Now since the God inspires me to proceed, Be that, whate'er inspiring Pow'r, obey'd. For I will sing of mighty Mysteries, Of Truths conceal'd before, from human Eyes, Dark Oracles unveil, and open all the Skies. Pleas'd as I am to walk along the Sphere Of shining Stars, and travel with the Year, To leave the heavy Earth, and scale the Height Of Atlas, who supports the heav'nly Weight To look from upper Light, and thence survey Mistaken Mortals wand'ring from the Way, And wanting Wisdom, fearful for the State Of future Things, and trembling at their Fate! Those