A HYMNE TO HERMES.
77
Of honor'd Maia! Hermes, (to shew how
He did those Deedes) did forthwith cut and bow
Strong Osiers in soft folds; and strappl'd strait
One of his hugest Oxen: all his weight
Lay'ng prostrate on the earth, at Phœbus feet:
All his foure clouen houes, easly made to greete
Each other upwards; all, together brought.
In all which bands yet, all the Beasts powres wrought
To rise, and stand; when all the Herd about
The mighty Hermes, rusht in, to help out
Their fellow from his fetters; Phœbus view
Of al this, vp to Admiration drew
Euen his high forces: And sterne lookes he threw
At Hermes for his Herds wrong; and the place
To which he had retir'd them; being in grace
And fruitfull riches of it, so entire:
All which, set all his force, on enuious fire.
All whose heat, flew out of his eyes in flames:
Which faine he would haue hidd, to bide the shames
Of his ill gouern'd passions. But with ease
Hermes could calme them; and his humors please
Still at his pleasure; where he ne're so great
In force, and fortitude; and high in heat.
In all which, he his Lute tooke; and assaid
A Song upon him; and so strangely plaid;
That from his hand, a rauishing horror flew.
Which Phœbus, into laughter turn'd; and grew
Pleasant past measure; Tunes so artfull clere
He did those Deedes) did forthwith cut and bow
Strong Osiers in soft folds; and strappl'd strait
One of his hugest Oxen: all his weight
Lay'ng prostrate on the earth, at Phœbus feet:
All his foure clouen houes, easly made to greete
Each other upwards; all, together brought.
In all which bands yet, all the Beasts powres wrought
To rise, and stand; when all the Herd about
The mighty Hermes, rusht in, to help out
Their fellow from his fetters; Phœbus view
Of al this, vp to Admiration drew
Euen his high forces: And sterne lookes he threw
At Hermes for his Herds wrong; and the place
To which he had retir'd them; being in grace
And fruitfull riches of it, so entire:
All which, set all his force, on enuious fire.
All whose heat, flew out of his eyes in flames:
Which faine he would haue hidd, to bide the shames
Of his ill gouern'd passions. But with ease
Hermes could calme them; and his humors please
Still at his pleasure; where he ne're so great
In force, and fortitude; and high in heat.
In all which, he his Lute tooke; and assaid
A Song upon him; and so strangely plaid;
That from his hand, a rauishing horror flew.
Which Phœbus, into laughter turn'd; and grew
Pleasant past measure; Tunes so artfull clere
