Page:Ovid's Metamorphoses (Vol. 1) - tr Garth, Dryden, et. al. (1727).djvu/124

To search if any Cracks or Flaws were made;
But all was safe: The Earth he then survey'd,
And cast an Eye on ev'ry diff'rent Coast,
And ev'ry Land; but on Arcadia most.
Her Fields he Cloath'd, and Chear'd her blasted Face
With running Fountains, and with springing Grass.
No Tracks of Heav'ns destructive Fire remain,
The Fields and Woods revive, and Nature smiles again.
But as the God walk'd to and fro the Earth,
And rais'd the Plants and gave the Spring its Birth,
By Chance a fair Arcadian Nymph he view'd,
And felt the lovely Charmer in his Blood.
The Nymph nor Spun, nor dress'd with artful Pride,
Her Vest was gather'd up, her Hair was ty'd;
Now in her Hand a slender Spear she bore,
Now a light Quiver on her Shoulders wore;
To chaste Diana from her Youth inclin'd,
The sprightly Warriors of the Wood she join'd.
Diana too the gentle Huntress lov'd,
Nor was there one of all the Nymphs that rov'd
O'er Mænalus, amid the maiden Throng,
More favour'd once; but Favour lasts not long.
The Sun now shone in all its Strength, and drove
The heated Virgin panting to a Grove;
The Grove around a grateful Shadow cast:
She dropt her Arrows and her Bow unbrac'd;
She flung her self on the cool Grassy Bed;
And on the painted Quiver rais'd her Head.
Jove saw the charming Huntress unprepar'd,
Stretch'd on the verdant Turf, without a Guard.
"Here I am safe, he cries, from Juno's Eye;
"Or should my jealous Queen the Theft descry,
"Yet wou'd I venture on a Theft like this,
"And stand her Rage for such, for such a Bliss!

Diana's