Page:Ovid's Metamorphoses (Vol. 1) - tr Garth, Dryden, et. al. (1727).djvu/88

Shou'd I be left, and thou be lost, the Sea
That bury'd her I lov'd, shou'd bury me.
Oh cou'd our Father his old Arts inspire,
And make me Heir of his informing Fire,
That so I might abolisht Man retrieve,
And perisht People in new Souls might live.
But Heav'n is pleas'd, nor ought we to complain,
That we, th' Examples of Mankind, remain.
He said; the careful Couple joyn their Tears:
And then invoke the Gods, with pious Prayers.
Thus, in Devotion having eas'd their Grief,
From sacred Oracles they seek Relief;
And to Cephysus Brook their way pursue:
The Stream was troubled, but the Ford they knew;
With living Waters, in the Fountain bred,⁠$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$
They sprinkle first their Garments, and their Head,
Then took the way, which to the Temple led.
The Roofs were all defil'd with Moss, and Mire,
The desart Altars void of Solemn Fire.
Before the Gradual, prostrate they ador'd;
The Pavement kiss'd, and thus the Saint implor'd.
⁠O Righteous Themis, if the Pow'rs above
By Pray'rs are bent to pity, and to love;
If humane Miseries can move their Mind;
If yet they can forgive, and yet be kind;
Tell how we may restore, by second birth,
Mankind, and people desolated Earth.
Then thus the gracious Goddess, nodding, said;
Depart, and with your Vestments veil your Head:
And stooping lowly down, with loosen'd Zones,
Throw each behind your Backs, your mighty Mother's Bones.
Amaz'd the Pair, and mute with wonder stand,
Till Pyrrha first refus'd the dire Command.
Forbid it Heav'n, said she, that I shou'd tear
Those Holy Reliques from the Sepulcher.

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