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Rh This tale to rumour's voice we trace—

But when the circling moons reveal'd

What virgin throes her bosom long conccal'd,

To brave Eitatides her high command

Bade the attendant damsels bear

The nursling to the hero's care,

Whose sceptre ruled Arcadia's land

In fair Phæsana by Alpheus' shore,

Apollo taught her there to prove

The fond solicitudes of love.

When time to Æpytus confess'd

The stolen caresses' fruit divine,

The hero in his manly breast

Unutterable rage repress'd,

And humbly sought the Pythian shrine,

With mind intent the end to know

Of this intolerable wo.

Her virgin zone with saffron died,

And urn of silver laid aside,

In the thick grove conceal'd from sight

She brought the heavenly babe to light.

Meanwhile the god with golden hair

Propitious fate invoked, and kind Eleutho's care.

Her pleasing pains without delay

Produced young Iamus to day.

While there upon the verdant glade

By his afflicted parent laid,

Two dragons of cærulean eye

Commission'd by the will divine,

With bees' innoxious produce hie

To feed the youth of heavenly line.

But when from Pytho's rocky height

The monarch urged his chariot's flight,

He sought of all the menial train

Evadne's infant to regain,