Page:The Poems of John Dyer (1903).djvu/80

 Threaten approach ; but they, unterrify'd, Thro' the sharp-pointed cliffs and thund'ring floods Cleave their bold passage ; nathless by the crags. And torrents sorely shatter'd : as the strong Eagle or vulture, in th' entangling net Involv'd, breaks thro', yet leaves his plumes behind, Thus thro' the wide waves their slow way they force To Thynia's hospitable isle. The brave Pass many perils, and to fame by such Experience rise. Refresh'd, again they speed From cape to cape, and view unnumber'd streams, Halys, with hoary Lycus, and the mouths Of Apsarus and Glaucus, rolling swift To the broad deep their tributary waves, Till in the long-sought harbour they arrive Of golden Phasis. Foremost on the strand Jason advanc'd : the deep capacious bay, The crumbling terrace of the marble port, Wond'ring he view'd, and stately palace-domes, Pavilions proud of Luxury : around, In every glitt'ring hall, within, without, O'er all the timbrel-sounding squares and streets Nothing appear'd but luxury, and crowds Sunk deep in riot. To the public weal Attentive none he found ; for he, their chief Of shepherds, proud Aee'tes, by the name Sometimes of King distinguished, 'gan to slight The shepherd's trade, and turn to song and dance : Ev'n Hydrus ceas'd to watch ; Medea's songs Of joy, and rosy youth, and beauty's charms, With magic sweetness lull'd his cares asleep, Till the bold heroes grasp'd the Golden Fleece. Nimbly they wing'd the bark, surrounded soon By Neptune's friendly waves : secure they speed O'er the known seas, by ev'ry guiding cape,