Page:Ovid's Metamorphoses (Vol. 1) - tr Garth, Dryden, et. al. (1727).djvu/305

What you request, thus Æacus replies,$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$
Not I, but Truth and common Faith denies;
Athens and we have long been sworn Allies:
Our Leagues are fix'd, confed'rate are our Pow'rs,
And who declare themselves their Foes, are ours.
Minos rejoins, your League shall dearly cost;
(Yet, mindful how much safer 'twas to boast,
Than there to waste his Forces, and his Fame
Before in Field with his grand Foe he came)
Parts without Blows———Nor long had left the Shore,
E'er into Port another Navy bore,
With Cephalus, and all his jolly Crew;
Th' Æacides their old Acquaintance knew:
The Princes bid him welcome, and in State
Conduct the Heroe to their Palace Gate;
Who ent'ring, seem'd the charming Mein to wear,
As when in Youth he paid his Visit there.
In his Right Hand an Olive-branch he holds,
And, Salutation past, the Chief unfolds
His Embassy from the Athenian State,
Their mutual Friendship, Leagues of ancient Date;
Their common Danger, ev'ry thing cou'd wake
Concern, and his Address successful make:
Strength'ning his Plea with all the Charms of Sense,
And those, with all the Charms of Eloquence.
Then thus the King: Like Suiters do you stand
For that Assistance which you may command?
Athenians, all our listed Forces use,
(They're such as no bold Service will refuse;)
And when ye've drawn them off, the Gods be prais'd,
Fresh Legions can within our Isle be rais'd:
So stock'd with People, that we can prepare
Both for domestick, and for distant War,
Ours, or our Friends Insulters to chastize.
Long may ye flourish thus, the Prince replies.