Page:Ovid's Metamorphoses (Vol. 1) - tr Garth, Dryden, et. al. (1727).djvu/114

⁠"Take this at least, this last Advice, my Son,
"Keep a stiff Rein, and move but gently on:
"The Coursers of themselves will run too fast,
"Your Art must be to moderate their Haste.
"Drive 'em not on directly through the Skies,
"But where the Zodiac's Winding Circle lies,
"Along the midmost Zone; but sally forth
"Nor to the distant South, nor stormy North.
"The Horses Hoofs a beaten Track will show,
"But neither mount too high, nor sink too low.
"That no new Fires, or Heav'n, or Earth infest;
"Keep the mid Way, the middle Way is best.
"Nor, where in radiant Folds the Serpent twines,
"Direct your Course, nor where the Altar shines.
"Shun both Extreams; the rest let Fortune guide,
"And better for thee than thy self provide!
"See, while I speak, the Shades disperse away,⁠$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$
"Aurora gives the Promise of a Day;
"I'm call'd, nor can I make a longer Stay.
"Snatch up the Reins; or still th' Attempt forsake,
"And not my Chariot, but my Counsel take,
"While yet securely on the Earth you stand;
"Nor touch the Horses with too rash a Hand.
"Let me alone to light the World, while you
"Enjoy those Beams which you may safely view.
He spoke in vain; the Youth with active Heat
And sprightly Vigour vaults into the Seat;
And joys to hold the Reins, and fondly gives
Those Thanks his Father with Remorse receives.
⁠Mean while the restless Horses neigh'd aloud,
Breathing out Fire, and pawing where they stood.
Tethys, not knowing what had past, gave way,
And all the Waste of Heav'n before 'em lay.
They spring together out, and swiftly bear
The flying Youth through Clouds and yielding Air;

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