76
A HYMNE TO HERMES.
Quitting himselfe with Art, so likely wrought,
As showd in his heart, not a rapinous thought.
Commanding Both, to beare attoned mindes
And seeke out th'Oxen; In which serch he bindes
Hermes to play the Guide; and show the Sunn
(All grudge exilde) the Shrowd to which he wunn
His fayre-eyd Oxen. Then; his forehead bow'd
For signe it must be so; and Hermes show'd
His free obedience. So soone, he enclin'd
To his perswasion, and command, his minde.
Now then, Ioues Iarring Sonnes, no longer stood;
But sandie Pylos, and th'Alphæan flood
Reacht instantly; and made as quick a fall
On those rich-feeding fields, and loftie stall
Where Phœbus Oxen, Hermes safelie kept;
Driuen in, by night. When sodainely he stept
Up to the stonie Caue; and into light
Draue forth the Oxen Phœbus at first sight
Knew them the same: and saw apart dispread
Vpon a high-rais'd rock; the hydes new flead
Of th'Oxen sacrifis'd. Then Phœus said;
O thou in craftie counsailes vndisplaid!
How couldst thou cut the throtes, and cast to Earth
Two such huge Oxen? being so young a birth,
And a mere Infant? I admire thy force
And will, behinde thy back. But this swift course
Of growing into strength, thou hadst not need
Continue any long Date, O thou seed
As showd in his heart, not a rapinous thought.
Commanding Both, to beare attoned mindes
And seeke out th'Oxen; In which serch he bindes
Hermes to play the Guide; and show the Sunn
(All grudge exilde) the Shrowd to which he wunn
His fayre-eyd Oxen. Then; his forehead bow'd
For signe it must be so; and Hermes show'd
His free obedience. So soone, he enclin'd
To his perswasion, and command, his minde.
Now then, Ioues Iarring Sonnes, no longer stood;
But sandie Pylos, and th'Alphæan flood
Reacht instantly; and made as quick a fall
On those rich-feeding fields, and loftie stall
Where Phœbus Oxen, Hermes safelie kept;
Driuen in, by night. When sodainely he stept
Up to the stonie Caue; and into light
Draue forth the Oxen Phœbus at first sight
Knew them the same: and saw apart dispread
Vpon a high-rais'd rock; the hydes new flead
Of th'Oxen sacrifis'd. Then Phœus said;
O thou in craftie counsailes vndisplaid!
How couldst thou cut the throtes, and cast to Earth
Two such huge Oxen? being so young a birth,
And a mere Infant? I admire thy force
And will, behinde thy back. But this swift course
Of growing into strength, thou hadst not need
Continue any long Date, O thou seed
