Page:Ovid's Metamorphoses (Vol. 1) - tr Garth, Dryden, et. al. (1727).djvu/140

Beckon'd him out, and drew him from the rest,
And in soft Whispers thus his Will exprest.
"My trusty Hermes, by whole ready Aid
"Thy Sire's Commands are through the World convey'd,
"Resume thy Wings, exert their utmost Force,
"And to the Walls of Sidon speed thy Course;
"There find a Herd of Heifers wandring o'er
"The neighb'ring Hill, and drive 'em to the Shore.
Thus spoke the God, concealing his Intent,
The trusty Hermes on his Message went,
And found the Herd of Heifers wandring o'er
A neighb'ring Hill, and drove 'em to the Shore:
Where the King's Daughter, with a lovely Train
Of Fellow-Nymphs, was sporting on the Plain.
The Dignity of Empire laid aside,
(For Love but ill agrees with Kingly Pride)
The Ruler of the Skies, the thund'ring God,
Who shakes the World's Foundations with a Nod,
Among a Herd of lowing Heifers ran,
Frisk'd in a Bull, and bellow'd o'er the Plain.
Large Rowles of Fat about his Shoulder clung,
And from his Neck the double dewlap hung.
His Skin was whiter than the Snow that lies
Unsully'd by the Breath of Southern Skies;
Small shining Horns on his curl'd Forehead stand,
As turn'd and polish'd by the Work-man's Hand;
His Eye-balls rowl'd, not formidably bright,
But gaz'd and languish'd with a gentle Light.
His ev'ry Look was peaceful, and exprest
The softness of the Lover in the Beast.
Agenor's Royal Daughter, as she plaid
Among the Fields, the Milk-white Bull survey'd,
And view'd his spotless Body with Delight,
And at a Distance kept him in her Sight.
At length she pluck'd the rising Flow'rs, and fed
The gentle Beast, and fondly stroak'd his Head.

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