The Transformation of the Cercopians
into Apes.
The Gallies now by Pythecusa pass;
The Name is from the Natives of the Place.
The Father of the Gods detesting Lies;
Oft, with Abhorrence, heard their Perjuries.
Th' abandon'd Race, transform'd to Beasts, began
To mimick the Impertinence of Man.
Flat-nos'd, and furrow'd; with Grimace they grin;
And look, to what they were, too near akin:
Merry in Make, and busy to no End;
This Moment they divert, the next offend:
So much this Species of their past retains;
Tho' lost the Language, yet the Noise remains.
Æneas descends to Hell.
Now, on his Right, he leaves Parthenope;
His Left, Misenus jutting in the Sea:
Arrives at Cumæ, and with Awe survey'd
The Grotto of the venerable Maid:
Begs Leave thro' black Avernus to retire;
And view the much-lov'd Manes of his Sire.
Straight the divining Virgin rais'd her Eyes;
And, foaming with a holy Rage, replies:
O thou, whose Worth thy wond'rous Works proclaim;
The Flames, thy Piety; the World, thy Fame:
Tho' great be thy Request, yet shalt thou see
Th' Elysian Fields, th' infernal Monarchy;
Thy Parent's Shade: This Arm thy Steps shall guide:
To suppliant Virtue nothing is deny'd.
She spoke, and pointing to the Golden Bough,
Which in th' Avernian Grove refulgent grew,
Seize
