Page:Virgil's Pastorals, Georgics and Aeneis - Dryden (1709) - volume 1.pdf/169

Past. VI. The rising Trees the lofty Mountains grace: The lofty Mountains feed the Savage Race, Yet few, and Strangers, in th' unpeopl'd Place. From thence the birth of Man the Song pursu'd, And how the World was lost, and how renew'd. The Reign of Saturn, and the Golden Age; Prometheus Theft, and Jove's avenging Rage. The Cries of Argonauts for Hylas drown'd; With whose repeated Name the Shoars resound. Then mourns the madness of the Cretan Queen; Happy for her if Herds had never been. What fury, wretched Woman, seiz'd thy Breast! The Maids of Argos (tho' with rage possess'd, Their imitated lowings fill'd the Grove) Yet shun'd the guilt of this prepost'rous Love. Nor sought the Youthful Husband of the Herd, Tho' lab'ring Yokes on their own Necks they fear'd; And felt for budding Horns on their smooth foreheads rear'd. Ah, wretched Queen! you range the pathless Wood; While on a flowry Bank he chaws the Cud: Or sleeps in Shades, or thro' the Forest roves; And roars with anguish for his absent Loves. Ye Nymphs, with toils, his Forest-walk surround; And trace his wandring Footsteps on the ground. But, ah! perhaps my Passion he disdains; And courts the milky Mothers of the Plains. Rh