Steady their Course, they cleave the yielding Main,
And, with a Wish, th'intended Harbour gain.
Mean while King Minos, on the Attick Strand,
Displays his martial Skill, and wastes the Land.
His Army lies encampt upon the Plains,
Before Aleathoë's Walls, where Nisus reigns;
On whose grey Head a Lock of Purple Hue,
The Strength, and Fortune of his Kingdom, grew.
Six Moons were gone, and past, when still from far
Victoria hover'd o'er the doubtful War.
So long, to both inclin'd, th' impartial Maid
Between 'em both her equal Wings display'd.
High on the Walls, by Phœbus vocal made,
A Turret of the Palace rais'd its Head;
And where the God his tuneful Harp resign'd,
The Sound within the Stone still lay enshrin'd.
Hither the Daughter of the Purple King
Ascended oft, to hear its Musick ring;
And, striking with a Pebble, wou'd release
Th' enchanted Notes, in Times of happy Peace.
But now, from thence, the curious Maid beheld
Rough Feats of Arms, and Combats of the Field:
And, since the Siege was long, had learnt the Name
Of ev'ry Chief, his Character, and Fame;
Their Arms, their Horse, and Quiver she descry'd,
Nor cou'd the Dress of War the Warriour hide.
Europa's Son she knew above the Rest,
And more, than well became a Virgin Breast:
In vain the crested Morion veils his Face,
She thinks it adds a more peculiar Grace:
His ample Shield, embost with burnish'd Gold,
Still makes the Bearer lovelier to behold:
When the tough Jav'lin, with a Whirl, he sends,
His Strength, and Skill the sighing Maid commends;
Or, when he strains to draw the circling Bow,
And his fine Limbs a manly Posture show,
Com-
