Page:Ovid's Metamorphoses (Vol. 2) - tr Garth, Dryden, et. al. (1727).djvu/64

54 This Iole by Hercules' Commands, Hyllas had lov'd, and joyn'd in nuptial Bands. Her swelling Womb the teeming Birth confess'd, To whom Alcmena thus her Speech address'd. O may the Gods protect thee in that Hour, When, midst thy Throws, thou call'st th' Ilithyian Pow'r! May no delays prolong thy racking Pain, As when I su'd for Juno's Aid in vain. When now Alcides' mighty Birth drew nigh, And the tenth Sign roll'd forward on the Sky, My Womb extends with such a mighty Load, As Jove the Parent of the Burthen show'd. I could no more th' encreasing Smart sustain, My Horror kindles to recount the Pain; Cold chills my Limbs while I the Tale persue, And now methinks I feel my Pangs anew. Seven Days and Nights amidst incessant Throws, Fatigu'd with ills I lay, nor knew Repose; When lifting high my Hands, in Shrieks I pray'd, Implor'd the Gods, and call'd Lucina's Aid. She came, but prejudic'd, to give my Fate A Sacrifice to vengful Juno's Hate. She hears the groaning Anguish of my Fits, And on the Altar at my Door she sits. O'er her left Knee her crossing Leg she cast, Then knits her Fingers close, and wrings them fast: This stay'd the Birth; in mutt'ring Verse she pray'd, The mutt'ring Verse th' unfinish'd Birth delay'd. Now with fierce struggles, raging with my Pain, At Jove's Ingratitude I rave in vain. How did I wish for Death! such Groans I sent, As might have made the flinty Heart relent. Now the Cadmeian Matrons round me press, Offer their Vows, and seek to bring Redress; Among the Theban Dames Galanthis stands, Strong Limb'd, red hair'd, and just to my Commands: She