Page:Tales of instruction, in verse and prose.pdf/9

(9) Confus'd, & ſtruck with ſilence at the deed,

He flies, but trembling fails to fly with ſpeed.

His ſteps the youth purſues. The country lay

Perplex'd with roads; a ſervant ſhew'd the way:

A river croſs'd the path; the paſſage o'er

Was nice to find; the ſervant trode before.

Long arms of oaks an open bridge ſupply'd,

And deep the waves beneath the bending glide.

The youth, who ſeem'd to watch a time to ſin,

Approach'd the careleſs guide, and thruſt him in.

Plunging he falls, and riſing lifts his head,

Then flaſhing turns, and ſinks among the dead.

Wild, ſparkling rage inflames the father's eyes;

He burſt the bands of fear, and madly cries,

Deteſted wretch——but ſcarce his ſpeech began,

When the ſtrange partner ſeem'd no longer man;

His youthful face grew more ſerenely ſweet;

His robe turn'd white, and flow'd upon his feet;

Fair rounds of radiant points inveſt his hair,

Celeſtial odours breathe thro' purpled air;

And wings, whofe colours glitter'd on the day,