Phaeton desires some Pledge of his Father's Tenderness, and asks to be trusted with his Chariot. He answers,
Pignora certa petis; do pignora certa timendo.
However, the latter complies with his Importunity: The Consequence is fatal, the World is set on Fire, even the Rivers feel the Force of the Conflagration. The Tagus boyls.
———Fluit ignibus Aurum.
The Nile retreats,
Occuluit que caput, quod adhuc latet———
Zanthus is parch'd up,
Arsurusque iterum Zanthus———
The Poet's Fancy is here full of Energy, as well as in the following Lines. Apollo courts Daphne, and promises himself Success, but is disappointed.
Quodque cupit, sperat; suaque illum Oracula fallunt.
And again,
The River Achelous combats Hercules, and assumes several Shapes in vain, then puts on at
