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258 To Chiron's venerable cave

Quick let the messengers repair:

Nor Nereus' daughter give, as once she gave,

To us the records of contention there.

But when at evening's highest noon

Rides in her state the full-orb'd moon,

The hero may untie the zone,

And make the virgin prize his own.

'Twas thus the goddess spoke to the Saturnian train;

When from immortal lids reveal'd

Th' approving nod their purpose seal'd.

Nor fell her words with empty sound,

Like fruitless blossoms on the ground:

For, as 'tis said, high-ruling Jove

Thetis with him to join in wedlock strove.

Hence to th' unskill'd the poet's tongue

Achilles' youthful valour oft has sung;

Who on the Mysian soil, with vines o'erspread,

By Telephus possess'd, black streams of slaughter shed.

Who gave th' Atridæ back to roam

With liberated Helen home,

And sever'd with his spear Troy's nervous strength;

Hector, who in the murderous fray

With Memnon dared a while to stay

His fury o'er the plain's extended length:

And other chiefs to whom Achilles show'd

The path that led to Proserpine's abode.

Guard of th' Æacidae, whose virtues grace

Ægina and his own illustrious race.

Him the sweet song's melodious breath

Deserted not when cold in death,

But round his tomb and funeral pyre

Stood the fair Heliconian choir,

And gave the sounding notes of wo

In honour of his name to flow;