Page:Ovid's Metamorphoses (Vol. 1) - tr Garth, Dryden, et. al. (1727).djvu/257

Just as he drew the Rein to guide his Horse
Around the Compass of the circling Course,
Sigh'd deeply, and the Pangs of Smart express'd,
While the Shaft stuck, engor'd within his Breast:
And, the Reins dropping from his dying Hand,
He sunk quite down, and tumbled on the Sand.
Sipylus next the rattling Quiver heard,
And with full Speed for his Escape prepar'd;
As when the Pilot from the black'ning Skies
A gath'ring Storm of wintry Rain descries,
His Sails unfurl'd, and crowded all with Wind,
He strives to leave the threat'ning Cloud behind:
So fled the Youth; but an unerring Dart
O'ertook him, quick discharg'd, and sped with Art;
Fix'd in his Neck behind, it trembling stood,
And at his Throat display'd the Point besmear'd with Blood.
Prone, as his Posture was, he tumbled o'er,
And bath'd his Courser's Mane with steaming Gore.
Next at young Phædimus they took their Aim,
And Tantalus, who bore his Grandsire's Name:
These, when their other Exercise was done,
To try the Wrestler's oily Sport begun;
And, straining ev'ry Nerve, their Skill express'd
In closest Grapple, joining Breast to Breast:
When from the bending Bow an Arrow sent,
Joyn'd as they were, thro' both their Bodies went:
Both groan'd, and writhing both their Limbs with Pain,
They fell together bleeding on the Plain;
Then both their languid Eye-balls faintly roul,
And thus together breath away their Soul.
With Grief Alphenor saw their doleful Plight,
And smote his Breast, and sicken'd at the Sight;
Then to their Succour ran with eager haste,
And, fondly griev'd, their stiff'ning Limbs embrac'd:
But in the Action falls: A thrilling Dart,
By Phœbus guided, pierc'd him to the Heart.