Page:Vida's Art of Poetry.djvu/68

 Sometimes diversify the strain, and sing The wondrous change of the Ligurian king. While for his Phaeton his sorrows flow, And his harmonious strains beguile his woe, The snowy feathers steal o'ver all the man, And turn the poet to a tuneful swan. Thus too Hippolitus by Dian's care, And Pœan's art, retains to upper air. The bards now paint the arms their heroes wield, And each bold figure on the glitt'ring shield. Fair Aventinus fair Alcides' son, Wore the proud trophy which his father won; An hundred serpents o'er the buckler roll'd, And Hydra hist from all her heads in gold. Now blooming Tempe's cool retreats they sing, And now with flow'ry beauties paint the spring. Now with a sylvan scene the floods they hide; Or teach the famed Eridanus to glide; Or sport on fabled Achelous' side. Or hoary Nereus' num'rous race display, The hundred azure sisters of the sea. With