Page:Ovid's Metamorphoses (Vol. 1) - tr Garth, Dryden, et. al. (1727).djvu/266

If the fair Queen's Espousals pleas'd before,
Itys, the new-born Prince, now pleases more;
And each bright Day, the Birth, and Bridal Feast,
Were kept with hallow'd Pomp above the rest.
So far true Happiness may lye conceal'd,
When, by false Lights, we fancy 'tis reveal'd!
Now, since their Nuptials, had the golden Sun
Five Courses round his ample Zodiac run;
When gentle Procnè thus her Lord address'd,
And spoke the secret Wishes of her Breast:
If I, she said, have ever Favour found,
Let my Petition with Success be crown'd:
Let me at Athens my dear Sister see,
Or let her come to Thrace, and visit me.
And, lest my Father should her Absence mourn,
Promise that she shall make a quick Return.
With Thanks I'd own the Obligation due
Only, O Tereus, to the Gods, and you.
Now, ply'd with Oar, and Sail at his Command,
The nimble Gallies reach'd th' Athenian Land,
And anchor'd in the fam'd Piræan Bay,
While Tereus to the Palace takes his Way;
The King salutes, and Ceremonies past,
Begins the fatal Embassy at last;
Th' Occasion of his Voyage he declares,
And, with his own, his Wife's Request prefers;
Asks Leave that, only for a little Space,
Their lovely Sister might embark for Thrace.
Thus, while he spoke, appear'd the royal Maid,
Bright Philomela, spendidly array'd;
But most attractive in her charming Face,
And comely Person, turn'd with ev'ry Grace:
Like those fair Nymphs, that are describ'd to rove
Across the Glades, and Op'nings of the Grove;
Only that these are dress'd for Silvan Sports,
And less become the Finery of Courts.

Tereus