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32
A HYMNE TO APOLLO.
For yet was sacred Thebes, no humane seate;
And therefore were no Paths, nor high waies beat
On her free bosome, that flowes now with wheat.
But then, she onely, wore on it, a wood.
From hence (euen loth to part, because it stood
Fit for thy seruice) thou put'st on Remoue
To greene Onchestus; Neptunes glorious Groue;
Where new-tam'd horse, bredd, nourish nerues so rare,
That still they frolick, though they trauaild are
Neuer so sore; and hurrie after them
Most heauie Coches: but are so extream
(In vsuall-trauaile) fierie-and-free;
That though their cochman, ne're so masterlie
Gouernes their courages; he sometimes must
Forsake his seat, and giue their spirits their lust:
When, after them, their emptie coach they drawe,
Foming, and Neighing, quite exempt from awe.
And if their Cocheman, guide through any Groue
Unshorne, and vow'd to any Deities Loue:
The Lords encocht, leap out; and all their care
Vse to allaie their fires, with speaking faire;
Stroking, and trimming them; and in some queach,
(Or strength of shade) within their nearest reach,
Reigning them vp; inuoke the deified King
And leaue them then, to her preseruing hands,
Who is the Fate, that there, the God commands.
And this was first, the sacred fashion there.
And therefore were no Paths, nor high waies beat
On her free bosome, that flowes now with wheat.
But then, she onely, wore on it, a wood.
From hence (euen loth to part, because it stood
Fit for thy seruice) thou put'st on Remoue
To greene Onchestus; Neptunes glorious Groue;
Where new-tam'd horse, bredd, nourish nerues so rare,
That still they frolick, though they trauaild are
Neuer so sore; and hurrie after them
Most heauie Coches: but are so extream
(In vsuall-trauaile) fierie-and-free;
That though their cochman, ne're so masterlie
Gouernes their courages; he sometimes must
Forsake his seat, and giue their spirits their lust:
When, after them, their emptie coach they drawe,
Foming, and Neighing, quite exempt from awe.
And if their Cocheman, guide through any Groue
Unshorne, and vow'd to any Deities Loue:
The Lords encocht, leap out; and all their care
Vse to allaie their fires, with speaking faire;
Stroking, and trimming them; and in some queach,
(Or strength of shade) within their nearest reach,
Reigning them vp; inuoke the deified King
And leaue them then, to her preseruing hands,
Who is the Fate, that there, the God commands.
And this was first, the sacred fashion there.
