Page:Virgil's Pastorals, Georgics and Aeneis - Dryden (1709) - volume 1.pdf/385

Geor. IV. He, not unmindful of his usual Art, First in dissembled Fire attempts to part: Then roaring Beasts, and running Streams he tryes, And wearies all his Miracles of Lies: But having shifted ev'ry Form to scape, Convinc'd of Conquest, he resum'd his shape: And thus, at length, in human Accent spoke. Audacious Youth, what madness cou'd provoke A Mortal Man t' invade a sleeping God? What Buis'ness brought thee to my dark abode?
 * To this, th' audacious Youth; Thou know'st full well

My Name, and Buis'ness, God, nor need I tell: No Man can Proteus cheat; but Proteus leave Thy fraudful Arts, and do not thou deceive. Foll'wing the Gods Command, I come t'implore Thy Help, my perish'd People to restore.
 * The Seer, who could not yet his Wrath asswage,

Rowl'd his green Eyes, that sparkl'd with his Rage; And gnash'd his Teeth, and cry'd, No vulgar God Pursues thy Crimes, nor with a Common Rod. Thy great Misdeeds have met a due Reward, And Orpheus's dying Pray'rs at length are heard. For Crimes, not his, the Lover lost his Life, And at thy Hands requires his murther'd Wife: Nor (if the Fates assist not) canst thou scape The just Revenge of that intended Rape. To shun thy lawless Lust, the dying Bride, Unwary, took along the River's side: