Who art thou, stranger? Whence hast thou arrived
On this our border, and who gave thee birth?
Beware thou trespass not against the truth;
Lye not! for should I find thy merit such 20
As claims my love, I will conduct thee hence
To my abode, where gifts thou shalt receive
Lib'ral and large, with hospitable fare.
I am the King [1]Physignathus, revered
By the inhabitants of all this pool, 25
Chief of the frogs for ever. Me, long since,
[2]Peleus begat, embracing on the banks
Of the Eridanus my mother fair,
[3]Hydromedusa. Nor thee less than King
Or leader bold in sight thy form proclaims, 30
Stout as it is, and beautiful.—Dispatch—
Speak, therefore, and declare thy pedigree.
He ceas'd, to whom [4]Psycharpax thus replied,
Illustrious sir! wherefore hast thou enquired
My derivation, known to all, alike 35
To Gods and men, and to the fowls of heav'n?
I am Psycharpax, and the dauntless Chief
[5]Troxartes is my sire, whose beauteous spouse
Daughter of [6]Pternotroctes brought me forth,
[7]Lichomyle by name. A cave of earth 40
My cradle was, and, in my youngling state,
My
