Page:Virgil's Pastorals, Georgics and Aeneis - Dryden (1709) - volume 2.djvu/219

Monsters more fierce, offended Heav'n ne'er sent 280
From Hell's Abyss, for Human Punishment.
$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$With Virgin-faces, but with Wombs obscene,
Foul Paunches, and with Ordure still unclean:
With Claws for Hands, and Looks for ever lean.
We landed at the Port; and soon beheld 285
Fat Herds of Oxen graze the flowry Field:
And wanton Goats without a Keeper stray'd:
With Weapons we the welcome Prey invade.
Then call the Gods, for Partners of our Feast:
And Jove himself the chief invited Guest. 290
We spread the Tables, on the greensword Ground:
We feed with Hunger, and the Bowls go round.
When from the Mountain tops, with hideous Cry,
And clatt'ring Wings, the hungry Harpies fly:
They snatch the Meat; defiling all they find: 295
And parting leave a loathsom Stench behind.
Close by a hollow Rock, again we sit;
New dress the Dinner, and the Beds refit:
Secure from Sight, beneath a pleasing Shade;
Where tufted Trees a Native Arbour made. 300
Again the Holy Fires on Altars burn:
And once again the rav'nous Birds return;
Or from the dark Recesses where they ly,
Or from another Quarter of the Sky.
With filthy Claws their odious Meal repeat, 305
And mix their loathsom Ordures with their Meat.