Page:Ovid's Metamorphoses (Vol. 1) - tr Garth, Dryden, et. al. (1727).djvu/118

From his lov'd Babylon Euphrates flies;⁠$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$
The big-swoln Ganges and the Danube rise
In thick'ning Fumes, and darken half the Skies.
In Flames Ismenos and the Phæsis roul'd,
And Tagus floating in his melted Gold.
The Swans, that on Cäyster often try'd
Their tuneful Songs, now sung their last and dy'd.
The frighted Nile ran off, and under Ground
Concealed his Head, nor can he yet be found:
His sev'n divided Currents all are dry,
And where they rowl'd, sev'n gaping Trenches lye:
No more the Rhine or Rhone their Course maintain,
Nor Tiber, of his promis'd Empire vain.
⁠The Ground, deep-cleft, admits the dazling Ray,
And startles Pluto with the Flash of Day.
The Seas shrink in, and to the Sight disclose
Wide naked Plains, where once their Billows rose;
Their Rocks are all discover'd, and increase
The Numbers of the scatter'd Cyclades.
The Fish in Sholes about the Bottom creep,
Nor longer dares the crooked Dolphin leap:
Gasping for Breath, th' unshapen Phocæ die,
And on the boiling Wave extended lye,
Nereus, and Doris with her Virgin Train,
Seek out the last Recesses of the Main;
Beneath unfathomable Depths they faint,
And secret in their gloomy Caverns pant.
Stern Neptune thrice above the Waves upheld
His Face, and thrice was by the Flames repell'd.
⁠The Earth at length, on ev'ry Side embrac'd
With scalding Seas, that floated round her Waste,
When now she felt the Springs and Rivers come,
And crowd within the Hollow of her Womb,
Up-lifted to the Heav'ns her blasted Head,
And clapt her Hand upon her Brows, and said;

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