Page:Rape of Prosperine - Claudian (1854).djvu/43

 To the stern shades, my Sire! O act unkind, Act unbeseeming a paternal mind! What crime hath moved thy wrath? did I rebel, When Phlegra heard the battle tumult swell? Was I conspiring with thy foes to heap The cold Olympus upon Ossa's steep? What guilt is mine? what sin did I commit, Thus harshly banished to th' infernal pit? O! blest their lot, to whom their captors give Freedom at least in sight of heaven to live: But I the bitter loss at once abide Of cheerful daylight, and my maiden pride, The Stygian tyrant's slave—miscall'd a bride! O! flowers too well beloved! O! Mother wise, Whose counsels Venus taught me to despise— 1 call thee, Mother! where in Ida's vales Resound the Lydian pipe's discordant wails; Where in thine ears the blood-stain'd Galli scream, Where in thine eyes the Curete falchions gleam— O! haste thee thence—restrain the robber's might, Stay the dread car, and give me back to light!"
 * He, as she speaks and weeps, with pity hears,

Dries with his sable robe her decent tears;