Page:Pindar and Anacreon.djvu/160

152

Giving the huntress virgin's hand

Empire o'er Libya's realm to keep,

Third portion of the peopled land,

That teems alike with fruits and sheep.

The silver-footed Cyprian dame

Received her Delian guest,

And with a touch ethereal press'd

The heaven-built chariot's frame;

And o'er his genial bed she threw

Sweet modesty of virgin hue;

Joining the god in nuptial tie

With powerful Hypseus' progeny:

He who then made his regal sway

Th' impetuous Lapithæ obey:

The second hero whose bright line

From ocean drew its source divine.

Him erst in Pindus' valleys fair

Peneus' bed well-pleased to share,

Daughter of earth, Creüsa bore,

While he a father's tender love

His white-arm'd child, Cyrene, gave to prove.

Not fond with dull delay to pore

The web's repeated progress o'er,

Nor hallow with domestic rites

The banquet's festival delights.