Page:The Argonautics of Apollonius Rhodius.djvu/45

Alcimeda embrac'd her son with tears,
Each breast was chill'd with sad presaging fears.
Age-drooping Æson heard the general moan,329
Wrapp'd in soft robes, and answer'd groan for groan.
But Jason sooths their fears, their bosom warms,
And bids his servants bring the burnish'd arms.
They, with a downcast look and lowly bow,
Obey their chief with silent steps and slow.
The pensive Queen, while tears bedew her face,335
Her son still circles with a fond embrace.
Thus to her nurse an infant orphan springs,
And weeps unceasing as she closely clings;
Experienc'd insults make her loath to stay
Beneath a step-dame's proud, oppressive sway.340
Thus in her royal breast the sorrows pent
Forc'd sighs and tears, and struggled for a vent.
Still in her arms she held her favourite son,
And comfortless with faltering speech begun:
'Oh had I died on that detested day,345
'And with my sorrows sigh'd my soul away,
'When Pelias publish'd his severe decree,
'Severe and fatal to my son and me!
'Thyself had then my aged eyelids clos'd,
'And those dear hands my decent limbs compos'd;350

'This