Page:Virgil's Pastorals, Georgics and Aeneis - Dryden (1709) - volume 1.pdf/387

Ev'n from the depths of Hell the Damn'd advance,
Th' Infernal Mansions nodding seem to dance;691
The gaping three-mouth'd Dog forgets to snarl,
The Furies harken, and their Snakes uncurl:
Ixion seems no more his Pains to feel,
But leans attentive on his standing Wheel.695
All Dangers past, at length the lovely Bride,
In safety goes, with her Melodious Guide;
Longing the common Light again to share,
And draw the vital breath of upper Air:
He first, and close behind him follow'd she,700
For such was Proserpine's severe Decree.
When strong Desires th' impatient Youth invade;
By little Caution and much love betray'd:
A fault which easy Pardon might receive,
Were Lovers Judges, or cou'd Hell forgive.705
For near the Confines of Etherial Light,
And longing for the glimm'ring of a sight,
Th' unwary Lover cast his Eyes behind,
Forgetful of the Law, nor Master of his Mind.
Straight all his Hopes exhal'd in empty Smoke;710
And his long Toils were forfeit for a Look.
Three flashes of blue Light'ning gave the sign
Of Cov'nants broke, three peals of Thunder join.
Then thus the Bride; What fury seiz'd on thee,
Unhappy Man! to lose thy self and Me?715
Dragg'd back again by cruel Destinies,
An Iron Slumber shuts my swimming Eyes.