Page:Ovid's Metamorphoses (Vol. 1) - tr Garth, Dryden, et. al. (1727).djvu/189

A River here he view'd so lovely bright,$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$
It shew'd the Bottom in a fairer Light,
Nor kept a Sand conceal'd from Human sight.
The Stream produc'd nor slimy Ooze, nor Weeds,
Nor miry Rushes, nor the spiky Reeds;
But dealt enriching Moisture all around,$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$
The fruitful Banks with chearful Verdure crown'd,
And kept the Spring Eternal on the Ground.
A Nymph presides, nor practis'd in the Chace,
Nor skilful at the Bow, nor at the Race;
Of all the Blue-ey'd Daughters of the Main,
The only Stranger to Diana's Train:
Her Sisters often, as 'tis said, wou'd cry
"Fie Salmacis, what always idle! fie,
"Or take thy Quiver, or thy Arrows seize,
"And mix the Toils of Hunting with thy Ease.
Nor Quiver she nor Arrows e'er wou'd seize,
Nor mix the Toils of Hunting with her Ease.
But oft would bathe her in the Chrystal Tide,
Oft with a Comb her dewy Locks divide;
Now in the limpid Streams she views her Face,
And drest her Image in the floating Glass:
On Beds of Leaves she now repos'd her Limbs,
Now gather'd Flow'rs that grew about her Streams,
And then by chance was gathering, as she stood
To view the Boy, and long'd for what she view'd.
Fain wou'd she meet the Youth with hasty Feet,
She fain wou'd meet him, but refus'd to meet
Before her Looks were set with nicest Care,
And well deserv'd to be reputed Fair.
"Bright Youth, she cries, whom all thy Features prove
"A God, and, if a God, the God of Love;
"But if a Mortal, blest thy Nurse's Breast,
"Blest are thy Parents, and thy Sisters blest:
"But oh how blest! how more than blest thy Bride.
"Ally'd in Bliss, if any yet ally'd.

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