This book commences with the list and character of the Argonauts. Before they embark, two of the chiefs quarrel; but are pacified by the harmony of Orpheus. They set sail, and land at Lemnos, an island inhabited by female warriors; who, though they had slain their husbands aud turned Amazons, are so charmed with these heroes, that they admit them to their beds. Thence they sail to the country of the Dolions, and are kindly received by their king Cyzicus. Loosing from thence in the night, and being driven back by contrary winds, they are mistaken for Pelasgians, with whom the Dolions were then at war. A battle ensues, in which Cyzicus and many of his men are slain. The morning discovers the unhappy mistake. Thence they sail to Mysia. Hercules breaks his oar; and while he is gone into a wood to make a new one, Hylas is stolen by a nymph, as he is stooping for water at a fountain. Hercules and Polyphemus go in search of him. Meanwhile the Argonauts leave them behind, and sail to Bithynia.
INSPIR'D by thee, O Phoebus, I resound
The glorious deeds of heroes long renown'd,
Whom Pelias urg'd the golden fleece to gain,
And well-built Argo wafted o'er the main,
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Through the Cyanean rocks. The voice divine
Pronounc'd this sentence from the sacred shrine;
"Ere long, and dreadful woes, foredoom'd by fate,
Thro' that man's counsels shall on Pelias wait,
Whom he, before the altar of his god,
Shall view in public with one sandal shod."
And, lo! as by this oracle foretold,
What time adventurous Jason, brave and bold,
Anaurus past, high swoln with winter's flood,
He left one sandal rooted in the mud.
To Pelias, thus, the hasty prince repair'd,
And the rich banquet at his altar shar'd.
The stately altar, with oblations stor'd,
Was to his sire erected, ocean's lord,
And every power that in Olympus reigns,
Save Juno, regent of Thessalia's plains.
Pelias, whose looks his latent fears express'd,
Fir'd with a bold adventure Jason's breast;
That, sunk in ocean, or on some rude shore
Prostrate, he ne'er might view his country more.
Old bards affirm this warlike ship was made
By skilful Argus, with Minerva's aid.
'Tis mine to sing the chiefs, their names and race,
Their tedious wanderings on the main to trace,
And all their great achievements to rehearse:
Deign, ye propitious Nine, to aid my verse. 30
First in the list, to join the princely bands,
The tuneful bard, enchanting Orpheus, stands;
Whom fair Calliope, on Thracia's shore,
Near Pimpla's mount, to bold (Eägrus bore.
Hard rocks he soften'd with persuasive song,
And sooth'd the rivers as they roll'd along.
Yon beeches tall, that bloom near Zona, still
Remain memorials of his vocal skill:
His lays Pieria's listening trees admire,
And move in measures to his melting lyre.
Thus Orpheus charm'd, who o'er the Bistons reign'd,
By Chiron's art to Jason's interest gain'd.
Asterion next; whose sire rejoic'd to till
Piresian valleys by Phylleion's hill,
Born near Apidanus, who sportive leads
His winding waters thro' the fertile meads;
There where, from far, Enipeus, stream divine,
And wide Apidanus their currents join.
The son of Elatus, of deathless fame,
From fair Larissa, Polyphemus came.
Long since, when in the vigour of his might,
He join'd the hardy Lapithæ in fight
Against the Centaurs; now his strength declin'd
Thro' age, yet young and martial was his mind.
Not long at Phylace Iphiclus staid,
These were the sons of Eurytus the proud,
On whom his bow the god of day bestow'd;
But he, devoid of gratitude, defy'd,
And challeng'd Phoebus with a rival's pride. 110
The sons of acus, intrepid race!
Separate advanc'd, and from a different place.
For when their brother unawares they slew,
From fair Ægina diverse they withdrew.
Fair Salamis king Telamon obey'd,
And valiant Peleus Phthia's sceptre sway'd.
Next Butes came from fam'd Cecropia far,
Brave Teleon's son, a chief renown'd in war.
To wield the deadly lance Phalerus boasts,
50 Who, by his sire commission'd, joins the hosts:
No son, save this, e'er bless'd the hoary sage, 121
And this Heaven gave him in declining age:
Yet him he sent, disdaining abject fears,
To shine conspicuous 'midst his gallant peers.
Theseus, far more than all his race renown'd,
Fast in the cave of Tænarus was bound
With adamantine fetters, (dire abode!)
E'er since he trod th' irremeable road
With his belov'd Pirithoüs: had they sail'd,
Great Jason's uncle; pleas'd he join'd his aid,
And march'd to meet th' adventurous band from
Urg'd by affinity and love of war.
Nor long Admetus, who at Pheræ reign'd,
Near high Chalcodon's bleating fields remain'd. 60 Much had their might, their courage much avail'd. Echion, Erytus, for wiles renown'd,
Left Alope, with golden harvests crown'd;
The gainful sons of Mercury: with these
Their brother came, the bold Æthalides;
Whom fair Eupolema, the Phthian, bore
Where smooth Amphrysos rolls his watery store:
Those, Menetus, from thy fair daughter sprung,
Antianira, beautiful and young.
Coronus came, from Gyrton's wealthy town,
Great as his sire in valour and renown,
Cæneus his sire; who, as old bards relate,
Receiv'd from Centaurs his untimely fate.
Alone, unaided, with transcendent might,
Boldly he fac'd, and put his foes to flight.
But they, reviving soon, regain'd their ground;
Yet fail'd to vanquish, and they could not wound.
Unbroke, unmov'd, the chief his breath resigns,
O'erwhelm'd beneath a monument of pines.
From Titaresus Mopsus bent his way,
Inspir'd an augur by the god of day.
Eurydamas, to share fair honour's crown,
Forsook near Xynias' lake his native town,
Nam'd Ctimena: Mencetius join'd the band,
Dismiss'd from Opuns by his sire's command.
Next came Eurytion, Irus' valiant son,
And Eribotes, seed of Teleon.
Baotian Tiphys came, experienc'd well
Old ocean's foaming surges to foretell,
Experienc'd well the stormy winds to shun,
And steer his vessel by the stars, or Sun.
Minerva urg'd him by her high command,
A welcome mate to join the princely band.
For she the ship had form'd with heavenly skill,
Tho' Argus wrought the dictates of her will.
Thus plann'd, thus fashion'd, this fam'd ship ex-
cell'd
The noblest ships by oar or sail impell'd.
From Aræthyrea, that near Corinth lay,
Phlias, the son of Bacchus, bent his way:
Bless'd by his sire, his splendid mansion stood
Fast by the fountains of Asopus' flood.
From Argos next the sons of Bias came,
Areius, Talaus, candidates for fame,
With bold Leodocus, whom Pero bore,
Neleus' fair daughter, on the Argive shore;
80 For whom Melampus various woes sustain❜d,
In a deep dungeon by Iphiclus chain'd.
Next Hercules, endued with dauntless mind,
At Jason's summons, stay'd not long behind.
For warn'd of this adventurous band, when last
The chief to Argos from Arcadia past,
(What time in chains he brought the living boar,
The dread, the bane of Erymanthia's moor,
And at the gate of proud Mycenæ's town,
From his broad shoulders hurl'd the monster
down :)
Oïleus join'd these heroes, fam'd afar
For stratagems and fortitude in war;
Well skill'd the hostile squadrons to subdue,
Bold in attack, and ardent to pursue.
Next, by Canethus, son of Abans, sent,
Ambitious Canthus from Euboea went;
Doom'd ne'er again to reach his native shore,
Nor view the towers of proud Cerinthus more.
For thus decreed the destinies severe,
That he and Mopsus, venerable seer,
After long toils and various wanderings past,
On Afric's dreary coast should breathe their last.
How short the term assign'd to human woc,
Clos'd, as it is, by death's decisive blow!
On Afric's dreary coast their graves were made,
From Phasis distant far their bones were laid;
Far as the east and western limits run,
Far as the rising from the setting Sun.
Clytius and Iphitus unite their aid,
Who all the country round chalia sway'd;
Unask'd the stern Mycenian king's consent,
Instant to join the warlike host he went.
Young Hylas waited with obsequions care,
The hero's quiver and his bow to bear.
Next came, the list of demigods to grace,
He who from Danaüs deriv'd his race,
Nauplius; of whom fam'd Prætus was the son,
Of Prætus Lernus; thus the lineage run:
From Lernus Naubolus his being claim'd,
Whose valiant son was Clytoneüs nam'd.
In navigation's various arts confess'd
Shone Nauplius' skill, superior to the rest: 170
Him to the sea's dread lord, in days of yore,
Danaüs' fair daughter, Amymone bore.
Last of those chiefs who left the Grecian coast,
Prophetic Idion join'd the gallant host;
(Full well he knew what cruel fate ordain'd;
First on the lists of fame the youth had shone,
Or own'd superior Hercules alone.
His uncle too, well-skill'd the dart to throw,
And in th' embattled plain resist the foe,
Iphiclus, venerable Thestius' son,
180 Join'd the young chief, and boldly led him on. 250
The son of Lernus, Palæmonius, came,
Olenian Lernus; but the voice of Fame
Whispers, that Vulcan was the hero's sire,
And therefore limps he like the god of fire.
Of nobler port or valour none could boast;
He added grace to Jason's godlike host.
From Phocis Iphitus with ardour press'd
To join the chiefs; great Jason was his guest,
When to the Delphic Oracle he went,
Consulting fate, and anxious for th' event. 260
Zetes and Calaïs of royal race,
But dreaded more than death his honour stain'd)
The son of Phoebus by some stolen embrace,
And number'd too with Eolus's race.
He learn'd his art prophetic from his sire,
Omens from birds, and prodigies from fire.
Illustrious Pollux, fam'd for martial force,
And Castor, skill'd to guide the rapid horse,
Ætolian Leda sent from Sparta's shore:
Both at one birth in Tyndarus' house she bore,
No boding fears her generous mind depress'd;
She thought like them whom Jove's embrace had
Lynceus aud idas, from Arene's wall [bless'd.
Heard Fame's loud summons, and obey'd her call:
The sons of Aphareus, of matchless might,
But Lynceus stands renown'd for piercing sight:
So keen his beam, that ancient fables tell,
He saw, thro' Earth, the wondrous depths of Hell.
With these bold Periclymenus appears,
The son of Neleus, most advanc'd in years
Of all his race; his sire's unconquer'd pride:
Him with vast strength old ocean's lord supply'd,
And gave the power, when hard in battle press'd,
To take whatever form might suit him best.
From Tegea's towers, where bore Aphidas sway,
Amphidamas and Cepheus took their way,
The sons of Aleus both; and with them went
Ancæus, by his sire Lycurgus sent.
Of those the brother, and by birth the first,
Was good Lycurgus; tenderly he nurs'd
His sire at home; but bade his gallant son
With the bold chiefs the race of glory run.
On his broad back a bear's rough spoils he wore,
And in his hand a two-edg'd pole-axe bore,
Which, that the youth might in no danger share,
Were safe secreted by his grandsire's care.
Augeas too, lord of the Elean coast,
Sail'd, brave associate, with the warlike host.
Rich in possessions, of his riches proud,
Fame says his being to the Sun he ow'd.
Ardent he wish'd to see the Colchian shore,
And old Feta who the sceptre bore.
Asterius and Amphion, urg'd by fame,
The valiant sons of Hyperasius, came
From fair Pellene, built in days of yore
By Pelle's grandsire on the lofty shore.
From Tænarus, that yawns with gulf profound,
Euphemus came, for rapid race renown'd.
By Neptune forc'd, Europa give him birth,
Daughter to Tityus, hugest son of Earth.
Whene'er he skimm'd along the watery plain,
With feet unbath'd he swept the surging main,
Scarce brush'd the surface of the briny dew,
And light along the liquid level flew.
Two other sons of Neptune join'd the host,
This from Miletus on th' Ionian coast,
Erginus nam'd, but that from Samos came,
Juno's lov'd isle, Ancæus was his name;
Illustrious chiefs, and both renown'd afar
For the joint arts of sailing and of war.
Young Meleager, Eneus' warlike son,
And sage Laocoon march'd from Calydon.
From the same father he and Eneus sprung;
But on the breasts of different mothers hung.
Him neus purpos'd with his son to send,
A wise companion, and a faithful friend.
Thus to the royal chiefs his name he gave,
And green in years was number'd with the brave.
Had he continu'd but one summer more
A martial pupil on th' Ætolian shore,
Whom Orithyïa bore in wintry Thrace
To blustering Boreas in his airy hall,
Heard Fame's loud summons, and obey'd the call.
Erectheus, who th' Athenian sceptre sway'd,
Was parent of the violated maid,
Whom dancing with her mates rude Boreas stole,
Where the fam'd waters of Ilissus roll;
And to his rock-fenc'd Sarpedonian cave
Convey'd her, where Erginus pours his wave: 270
There, circumfus'd in gloom and grateful shade,
The god of tempests woo'd the gentle maid.
They, when on tip-toe rais'd, in act to fly,
Like the light-pinion'd vagrants of the sky,
Wav'd their dark wings, and, wondrous to behold!
Display'd each plume distinct with drops of gold;
-While down their backs, of bright cerulean hue,
Loose in the winds their wauton tresses flew.
Not long with Pelias young Acastus stay'd;
He left his sire to lend the Grecians aid.
Argus, whom Pallas with her gifts inspir'd,
Follow'd his friend, with equal glory fir'd.
Such the compeers of Jason, highly fam'd;
And all these demigods were Minyans nam'd.
The most illustrious heroes of the host
Their lineage from the seed of Minyas boast:
For Mianys' daughter, Clymena the fair,
Alcimeda, great Jason's mother, bare.
When all was furnish'd by the busy band Which vessels destin'd for the main demand; 290 The heroes from Lö!cos bent their way,
To the fam'd port, the Pagasæan bay
And deep-environ'd with thick-gathering crowds, They shone like stars resplendent thro' the clouds. Then thus among the rout, with wondering look, Some swain survey'd the bright-arm'd chiefs and spoke;
"Say, what can Pelias, mighty Jove, intend, Far, far from Greece so great a force to send! 230 Sure, should Æeta spurn the sons of Greece, And to their claims refuse the golden fleece, That self-same day shall see his palace, crown'd With glittering turrets, levell'd to the ground. But endless toils pursue them as they go, And Fate hath mark'd their desperate steps with woe."
Thus, when he saw the delegated bands, Spoke the rude swain with heaven-uplifted hands: The gentler females thus the gods implore; "Safe may they reach again their native shore:" And thus some matron mild her mind express'd; (Tears in her eye, and terrours at her breast) 310 "Unfortunate Alcimeda, thy fate
Now frowns malignant, tho' it frowns so late;
Nor wills the tenour of thy life to run
Serene and peaceful, as it first begun.
On Eson too attend unnumber'd woes;
Far, better far, a lingering life to close,
And bury all his sorrows in the tomb,
Unconscious of calamities to come.
Oh! had both Phrixus and the ram been drown'd,
When Helle perish'd in the gulf profound:
But the dire monster was with voice endu'd,
And human accents from his mouth ensu'd,
To sad Alcimeda denouncing strife,
And woes to cloud the evening of her life."
Thus spoke some matron as the heroes went;
Around their lords the menial train lament:
Alcimeda embrac'd her son with tears,
Each breast was chill'd with sad presaging fears.
Age-drooping son heard the general moan,
Wrapp'd in soft robes, and answer'd groan for
groan.
330
But Jason sooths their fears, their bosom warms,
And bids his servants bring the burnish'd arms.
They, with a downcast look and lowly bow,
Obey their chief with silent steps and slow.
The pensive queen, while tears bedew her face,'
Her son still circles with a fond embrace.
Thus to her nurse an infant orphan springs,
And weeps unceasing as she closely clings;
Experienc'd insults make her loath to stay
Forebode not here calamities to come:
Your female train will re-conduct you home."
He spoke; and from the palace bent his way,
Graceful of port; so moves the god of day
At Delos, from his odour-breathing fanes,
Or Claros situate on lonian plains,
Or Lycia's ample shores, where Xanthus leads
His winding waters thro' irriguous meads.
Thus Jason march'd majestic thro' the crowd,
And Fame auspicious rais'd her voice aloud: 390
When lo! the priestess of Diana came,
Their guardian goddess, Iphias was her name,
Bending with age, and kiss'd the chief's right hand;
In vain she wish'd to speak; the hasty band
With speedy footsteps from the dame withdrew,
And Jason mingled with his valiant crew.
Then from the tower-fenc'd town he bent his way,
And reach'd ere long the Pagasæan bay;
There join'd his comrades waiting on the coast,
And there saluted his confederate host.
When from Iolcos, lo, the wondering train
Observe Acastus hastening o'er the plain,
And with him Argus, his compeer and friend;
Unknown to Pelias, to the ship they tend.
Argus around his brawny shoulders flung
A bull's black spoils that to his ancles hung.
Acastus wore a mantle, rich and gay,
Wrought by his sister, lovely Pelopa.
Beneath a step-dame's proud, oppressive sway. 340 Thus rob'd, the chiefs approach'd the crowded
Thus in her royal breast the sorrows pent
Forc'd sighs and tears, and struggled for a vent.
Still in her arms she held her favourite son,
And comfortless with faltering speech begun:
“Oh had I died on that detested day,
And with my sorrows sigh'd my soul away,
When Pelias publish'd his severe decree,
Severe and fatal to my son and me!
Thyself had then my aged eyelids clos'd,
And those dear hands my decent limbs compos'd;
This boon alone I wish'd thee to impart,
This wish alone lay dormant at my heart.
But now, alas! tho' first of Grecian names,
Admir'd and envy'd by Thessalian dames,
I, like an hand-maid, now am left behind,
Bereav'd of all tranquillity of mind.
By thee rever'd, in dignity I shone,
And first and last for thee unloos'd my zone,
For unrelenting hate Lucina bore,
Thee, one lov'd son, she gave, but gave no more.
Alas! not ev'n the visions of the night
Foretold such fatal woes from Phrixus' flight."
Thus mourn'd Alcimeda; her handmaids hear,
Sigh back her sighs, and answer tear with tear.
Then Jason these consoling words address'd,
To sooth the rising anguish of her breast:
"Cease, mother, cease excess of grief to show,
Oh! cease this wild extravagance of woe.
Tears cannot make one dire disaster less;
They cherish grief, and aggravate distress.
Wisely and justly have the gods assign'd;
Unthought-of miseries to all mankind.
"Since now the stores lie ready on the strand, And since our chiefs and arms are all at hand, No longer let us waste the golden day, But the first summons of the breeze obey. And, since we all with equal ardour burn For Colchian spoils, and hope a safe return, Impartial choose some hero fam'd afar To guide the vessel, and conduct the war; Let him, your sovereign chief, with foreign foes The terms of treaty, and of fight propose."
He spoke; with earnest eyes the youthful band
Mark bold Alcides for supreme command;
On him with voice unanimous they call,
Own him their leader, and the lord of all.
In the mid circle sat the godlike man,
His broad right hand he wav'd, and thus began:
"Let none to me this arduous task assigu,
For I the glory with the charge decline.
Jason alone shall lead this valiant band,
The chief who rais'd it, let that chief command."
Thus briefly spoke th' unconquerable man;
Loud approbation thro' the circle ran:
Then Jason rose, (complacence fill'd his breast)
And thus the pleas'd, attentive throng address'd:
Friends and associates, since your wills decree
This great, this honourable trust to me,
No longer be our enterprise delay'd:
To Phoebus first be due oblations paid;
Let then a short repast our strength renew:
And, till my herdsmen to our gallant crew
With beeves return, the best my stalls contain,
Strive we to lanch our vessel in the main.
And when close stow'd our military stores,
Each take his post, and ply the nimble oars.
To Phœbus first, Embasian Phœbus, raise
The smoking altar; let the victims blaze.
He promis'd, if due rites to him I pay,
Conduct my comrades to the far-fam'd fleece,
450 Then safe restore them to the realms of Greece.
And here I vow, whatever chiefs return,
So many bulls shall on thine altar burn;
To point thro' ocean's paths our dubious way."
He said, and instant to the task he flew;
Example fir'd his emulative crew.
A sacrifice at Delphos is decreed,
And in Ortygia shall the victims bleed.
But now these humble offerings which we pay,
Gracious accept, far-darting god of day.
They heap'd their vestments on a rock, that stood Be thou, O father, our auspicious guide,
Far from the insults of the roaring flood,
But, in times past, when wintry storms prevail'd,
Th' encroaching waves its towering top assail'd.
As Argus counsel'd, with strong ropes they bound,
Compacting close, the vessel round and round;
Then with stout nails the sturdy planks they join'd,
To brave the fury of the waves or wind:
Next delv'd with spades a channel deep and wide,
Toro' which the ship might lanch into the tide.
Near to the water deeper was the way,
Where wooden cylinders transversely lay;
On these they heav'd the vessel from the plain,
To roll her, smoothly-gliding, to the main.
Then to the benches, tapering oars they fix'd;
A cubit's measure was the space betwixt :
This was the station for the labouring bands,
To tug with bending breasts, and out-stretch'd
First Tiphys mounted on th' aerial prow [hands.
To issue orders to the train below,
That at his word, their strength uniting, all
Might join together, and together haul.
With eager look th' attentive heroes stand,
And wait impatient till he gave command;
Then all at once, with full exerted sway,
They move her from the station where she lay,
And pushing instant, as the pilot guides,
On smooth round rollers Pelian Argo glides;
Glibly she glides; loud shouts the jovial band;
They haul, they pull, they push her from the
strand.
When hence we sail across the sounding tide.
Smooth the rough billows, and let breezes bland
Propitious waft us to the Colchian land."
Thus pray'd be suppliant, and prepar'd to make
The sacred offering of the salted cake.
530
Alcides, fam'd for manly strength and sway,
And bold Ancæus rose the beeves to slay.
Alcides' club impress'd a deadly wound
On the steer's front, and felled him to the ground.
Thy axe, Ancæus, at one sturdy stroke,
The steer's skull fractur'd, and the neck-bone
broke,
Down fell the victim, floundering with the blow,
Prone on his horns, and plough'd the sand below.
The ready train, that round in order stood,
Stab the fallen beeves, and shed the life-warm
blood;
540
Then from the body strip the smoking hide,
The beasts they quarter, and the joints divide;
The thighs devoted to the gods they part,
On these the fat, involv'd in cawis, with art
They spread, and as the lambent flame devours,
480 The Grecian chief the pure libation pours.
Joy fill'd the breast of Idmon to behold,
How from the thighs the flame relucent roll'd
In purple volumes, and propitious smoke;
And thus the seer, inspir'd by Phobus, spoke: 550
"Tho' various perils your attempt oppose,
And toils unnumber'd bring unnumber'd woes;
Yet shall ye safe return, ye sons of Greece,
Adorn'd with conquest, and the golden fleece.
Me cruel Fate ordains on Asia's shore
To die, nor e'er behold my country more.
And tho' my destiny long fix'd I knew,
Yet, still resolv'd, I join'd the martial crew;
Inflam'd with glory to the host I came,
Of life regardless, emulous of fame."
Thus he; the host the fate of Idmon mourn,
But joy transports them for their wish'd return.
The Sun, remitting now his fiercer ray,
Pours from the west the faint remains of day:
Low as he sinks, the lofty rocks expand
Their lengthen'd shadows o'er the distant land.
On leafy couches now the warlike train
Repose along the beach that skirts the main.
Before the chiefs are savoury viands plac'd,
And generous wines, delicious to the taste.
The hours in mutual converse they employ,
In festive songs and undissembled joy.
Thus at the banquet sport the young and gay,
When Mirth breaks in, and Envy skulks away.
But not unmark'd was Jason's pensive look;
Idas beheld him, and licentious spoke:
Beneath the huge hulk groan the rollers strong;
Black smoke arises as she moves along;
With swift descent she rushes to the main:
Coercive ropes her rapid race restrain. 490
Then,next, their sails they hoisted, fix'd their oars,
The mast erected, and embark'd the stores.
By lots on benches were the heroes plac'd,
And with two heroes every bench was grac'd.
On great Alcides, formidable name,
And on Ancæus, who from Tegea came,
With voice unanimous the martial host
Bestow'd the centre's honourable post.
To watchful Tiphys was the helm assign'd,
To stem the waves, and catch the favouring wind.
This done, with stones beside the shore which lay,
They rear'd an altar to the god of day,
Embasian Phoebus, and the surface round
With the dry branches of an olive crown'd.
Meanwhile the herdsman drove two beeves well
fed
From Jason's stalls; youths to the altar led
The victims; some brought water from the lake;
Some the due offering of the salted cake.
Jason, while these the sacrifice prepare,
Thus to his parent god prefers his pray'r:
"Patron of Pagasæ, thine ear we claim,
Guard of the city grac'd with Æson's name:
When to consult thine oracle I went,
It promis'd to reveal this great event,
The final issue of our bold emprise:
On thee, chief author, all our hope relies.
'What doubts, what fears do Æson's son perplex? 510 What dangers fright him, and what sorrows vex? Proclaim thy thoughts: or is thy dubious mind Dismay'd with terrours of the dastard kind? 580 Now by this stout, unconquer'd lance, I swear, On which in war victorious wreaths I bear, (Scorning from Jove's assistance to receive Those palins, which this resistless lance can give)
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