Page:The Argonautics of Apollonius Rhodius.djvu/46

 'This boon alone I wish'd thee to impart, This'This [sic] wish alone lay dormant at my heart. 'But now, alas! tho' first of Grecian names, 'Admir'd and envy'd by Thessalian dames, 'I, like an hand-maid, now am left behind, 'Bereav'd of all tranquillity of mind. 'By thee rever'd, in dignity I shone, 'And first and last for thee unloos'd my zone. 'For unrelenting hate Lucina bore, 'Thee, one lov'd son, she gave, but gave no more. 'Alas! not ev'n the visions of the night 'Foretold such fatal woes from Phrixus' flight.' Thus mourn'd Alcimeda; her handmaids hear, Sigh back her sighs, and answer tear with tear. Then Jason these consoling words address'd, To sooth the rising anguish of her breast: "Cease, mother, cease excess of grief to show, "Oh! cease this wild extravagance of woe. "Tears cannot make one dire disaster less; "They cherish grief, and aggravate distress. "Wisely and justly have the Gods assign'd "Unthought-of miseries to all mankind. "The lot they give you, tho' perchance severe, "Confiding in Minerva, bravely bear. "Minerva