Page:Virgil's Pastorals, Georgics and Aeneis - Dryden (1709) - volume 1.pdf/185

Past. VIII. Farewel, ye secret Woods, and shady Groves, Haunts of my Youth, and conscious of my Loves! From yon high Cliff I plunge into the Main; Take the last Present of thy dying Swain: And cease, my silent Flute, the sweet Mænalian Strain.

Now take your Turns, ye Muses, to rehearse His Friend's Complaints; and mighty Magick Verse. Bring running Water; bind those Altars round With Fillets; and with Vervain strow the Ground: Make fat with Frankincense the sacred Fires; To re-inflame my Daphnis with Desires. 'Tis done, we want but Verse. Restore, my Charms, My lingring Daphnis to my longing Arms.

Pale Phœbe, drawn by Verse from Heav'n descends: And Circe chang'd with Charms Ulysses Friends. Verse breaks the Ground, and penetrates the Brake; And in the winding Cavern splits the Snake. Verse fires the frozen Veins: Restore, my Charms, My lingring Daphnis to my longing Arms.

Around his waxen Image, first I wind Three woollen Fillets, of three Colours join'd: Thrice bind about his thrice devoted head, Which round the sacred Altar thrice is led. Unequal Numbers please the Gods: my Charms, Restore my Daphnis to my longing Arms.