Page:The works of Anne Bradstreet in prose and verse.djvu/270

 184 Anne Bradjl reefs Worhs.

��Semi7'amis.

'np^HIS great oppreffing Ninus, dead and gone, -*■ His wife Semiramis ulurp'd the Throne; She like a brave Virago played the Rex And was both fhame and glory of her Sex: Her birth place was Philiftines A/coIan,'' Her mother Dorceta^ a Curtizan. Others report fhe was a veftal Nun, Adjudged to be drown'd for th' crime" fhe'd done. Tranfform'd into a Fifh by Venus will, [72]

Her beauteous face, (they feign) reteining ftill. Sure from this Fiction Dagoti firft began, Changing the'^ womans face into a man: But all agree that from no lawfull bed, This great renowned Emprefs iffued: For which fhe was obfcurely nourifhed. Whence rofe that Fable, fhe by birds was fed. This gallant Dame unto the Ba6irian warre, Accompanying her husband Menon farr. Taking a town, fuch valour fhe did fhow. That Ninus amorous of her foon did grow, And thought her lit to make a Monarchs wife, Which was the caufe poor Menon loft his life.- She flourifhing with Ninus long did reign, Till her Ambition caus'd him to be flain.

« Philijlrius Afcalon. l> Docreta.

' tor wliat. d his.

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