A HYMNE TO HERMES.
65
A Herd of Oxen, with braue Heads indude;
Yet but an Infant; and retainde a Rodd;
Who warilie, both this, and that way trodd,
His head still backwards turn'd. This th'ould Man spake;
Which he well thought vpon; and swiftly brake
Into his Pursuit, with abundant wing;
That strooke but one plaine; ere he knew the thing
That was the Theefe; to be th'Impostor borne;
Whom Ioue yet, with his Sonnes name did adorne.
In studie, and with Ardor, then the King
(Ioues dazeling Sonne) plac't his exploring wing
On sacred Pylos, for his forced Heard;
His ample shoulders, in a cloud ensphear'd
On fierie chrimsine. Strait, the steps he found
Of his stolne Head: And said; Strange sights confound
My apprehensiue powers: for here I see
The Tracts of Oxen; but auersiuelie
Conuerted towards the Pierian Hills,
As tredding to their Meade of Daffodills:
But, nor mine eye, Mens feet, nor Womens drawes;
Nor hoarie Wolues; nor Beares; nor Lyons Paws,
Nor thick-necks Bulls they show. But hee that does,
These monstrous Deeds, with neuer so swift shooes;
Hath past from that howre hither; but from hence,
His foule course, may meete, fouler consequence.
With this, tooke Phœbus wing; and Hermes still,
(For all his Threats) secure lay in his Hill
Wall'd with a woodd; and more, a Rock, beside
Yet but an Infant; and retainde a Rodd;
Who warilie, both this, and that way trodd,
His head still backwards turn'd. This th'ould Man spake;
Which he well thought vpon; and swiftly brake
Into his Pursuit, with abundant wing;
That strooke but one plaine; ere he knew the thing
That was the Theefe; to be th'Impostor borne;
Whom Ioue yet, with his Sonnes name did adorne.
In studie, and with Ardor, then the King
(Ioues dazeling Sonne) plac't his exploring wing
On sacred Pylos, for his forced Heard;
His ample shoulders, in a cloud ensphear'd
On fierie chrimsine. Strait, the steps he found
Of his stolne Head: And said; Strange sights confound
My apprehensiue powers: for here I see
The Tracts of Oxen; but auersiuelie
Conuerted towards the Pierian Hills,
As tredding to their Meade of Daffodills:
But, nor mine eye, Mens feet, nor Womens drawes;
Nor hoarie Wolues; nor Beares; nor Lyons Paws,
Nor thick-necks Bulls they show. But hee that does,
These monstrous Deeds, with neuer so swift shooes;
Hath past from that howre hither; but from hence,
His foule course, may meete, fouler consequence.
With this, tooke Phœbus wing; and Hermes still,
(For all his Threats) secure lay in his Hill
Wall'd with a woodd; and more, a Rock, beside
