Page:Ovid's Metamorphoses (Vol. 2) - tr Garth, Dryden, et. al. (1727).djvu/78

68 If, therefore, thou a Creature shalt produce, Of so great Charges, and so little Use, (Bear Witness, Heav'n, with what Reluctancy) Her hapless Innocence I doom to die. He said, and Tears the common Grief display, Of him who bad, and her who must obey. Yet Teletheusa still persists, to find Fit Arguments to move a Father's Mind; T' extend his Wishes to a larger Scope, And in one Vessel not confine his Hope. Lygdus continues hard: Her Time drew near, And she her heavy Load could scarcely bear; When slumbring, in the latter Shades of Night, Before th' Approaches of returning Light, She saw, or thought she saw, before her Bed, A glorious Train, and Isis at their Head: Her moony Horns were on her Forehead plac'd, And yellow Shelves her shining Temples grac'd: A Mitre, for a Crown, she wore on high; The Dog, and dappl'd Bull were waiting by; Osyris, sought along the Banks of Nile; The silent God; the sacred Crocodile; And, last, a long Procession moving on, With Timbrels, that assist the lab'ring Moon. Her Slumbers seem'd dispell'd, and, broad awake, She heard a Voice, that thus distinctly spake. My Votary, thy Babe from Death defend, Nor fear to save whate'er the Gods will send. Delude with Art thy Husband's dire Decree: When Danger calls, repose thy Trust on me: And know thou hast not serv'd a thankless Deity. This Promise made, with Night the Goddess fled; With Joy the Woman wakes, and leaves her Bed; Devoutly lifts her spotless Hands on high, And prays the Pow'rs their Gift to ratifie. Now