Page:Ovid's Metamorphoses (Vol. 1) - tr Garth, Dryden, et. al. (1727).djvu/240

In the cool Rivulet my Feet I dipt,
Then waded to the Knee, and then I stript;
My Robe I careless on an Osier threw,
That near the Place commodiously grew;
Nor long upon the Border naked stood,
But plung'd with Speed into the Silver Flood.
My Arms a thousand ways I mov'd, and try'd
To quicken, if I cou'd, the lazy Tide;
Where while I play'd my swimming Gambols o'er,
I heard a murm'ring Voice, and frighted sprung to Shore.
Oh! whither, Arethusa dost thou fly?
From the Brook's Bottom did Alpheus cry;
Again, I heard him, in a hollow Tone,
Oh! whither, Arethusa, dost thou run?
Naked I flew, nor cou'd I stay to hide
My Limbs, my Robe was on the other Side;
Alpheus follow'd fast, th' inflaming Sight
Quicken'd his Speed, and Made his Labour light;
He sees me ready for his eager Arms,
And with a greedy Glance devours my Charms.
As trembling Doves from pressing Danger fly,
When the fierce Hawk comes sousing from the Sky;
And, as fierce Hawks the trembling Doves pursue,
From him I fled, and after me he flew.
First by Orchemenus I took my Flight,
And soon had Psophis and Cyllene in Sight;
Behind me then high Mænalus I lost,
And craggy Erimanthus scal'd with Frost;
Elis was next; thus far the Ground I trod
With nimble Feet before the distanc'd God.
But here I lagg'd, unable to sustain
The labour longer, and my Flight maintain;
While he more strong, more patient of the Toil,
And fir'd with Hopes of Beauty's speedy Spoil,
Gain'd my lost Ground, and by redoubled Pace.
Now left between us but a narrow Space.

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