A HYMNE TO HERMES.
73
As not in all the Deities, I haue seene;
Nor in th'Obliuion-marckt-whole Race of men.
In Night, he draue my Oxen from their Leas;
Along the loftie rore-resounding Seas:
From out the Rode-way quite: the steps of them
So quite transpos'd, as would amaze the beame
Of any mindes eye: being so infinite much
Inuolu'd in doubt; as showd a Deified touch
Went to the works performance. All the way
Through which, my corss-hou'd Cows hee did conuaie,
Had dust so darklie-hard to serch; and He
So past all measure, wrapt in subtiltie.
For, nor with feet, nor hands, he form'd his steps,
In passing through the drie waies sandie heap's:
But vs'd another counsaile to keepe hidd
His monstrous Tracts; that showd as one had slid
On Oke, or other Boughs; That swept out still
The footsteps of his Oxen; and did fill
Their prints up euer; to the Daffodill
(Or daintie feeding Meddow) as they trodd,
Driuen by this cautelous, and Infant God.
A Mortall Man yet, saw him driuing on
His Prey to Pylos. Which when he had done
And got his Passe sign'd, with a sacred fire
In peace; and freely (though to his desire
Not to the Gods, he offerd part of these
My rauisht Oxen) he retires, and lies
Like to the gloomie Night in his dimm Denn,
Nor in th'Obliuion-marckt-whole Race of men.
In Night, he draue my Oxen from their Leas;
Along the loftie rore-resounding Seas:
From out the Rode-way quite: the steps of them
So quite transpos'd, as would amaze the beame
Of any mindes eye: being so infinite much
Inuolu'd in doubt; as showd a Deified touch
Went to the works performance. All the way
Through which, my corss-hou'd Cows hee did conuaie,
Had dust so darklie-hard to serch; and He
So past all measure, wrapt in subtiltie.
For, nor with feet, nor hands, he form'd his steps,
In passing through the drie waies sandie heap's:
But vs'd another counsaile to keepe hidd
His monstrous Tracts; that showd as one had slid
On Oke, or other Boughs; That swept out still
The footsteps of his Oxen; and did fill
Their prints up euer; to the Daffodill
(Or daintie feeding Meddow) as they trodd,
Driuen by this cautelous, and Infant God.
A Mortall Man yet, saw him driuing on
His Prey to Pylos. Which when he had done
And got his Passe sign'd, with a sacred fire
In peace; and freely (though to his desire
Not to the Gods, he offerd part of these
My rauisht Oxen) he retires, and lies
Like to the gloomie Night in his dimm Denn,
