Page:Virgil - The Georgics, Thomas Nevile, 1767.djvu/125

 

Scarce had the Seer compos'd his limbs, with cries
The youth springs forth, and binds him, as he lies.
By shapes portentous studious to evade
His wonted wiles the prophet calls in aid, 520
Chang'd to an hideous beast, a stream, a flame;
But when he found he toil'd with fruitless aim
To burst his bonds, the figure of a man
Once more he took, and baffled thus began. 524

By whose behests, presumptuous! art thou come?
Declare the cause, that brought thee to our dome.

Well, Proteus! well you know, rejoin'd the youth,
For who from Proteus can disguise the truth?
But cease your arts; my fortunes to restore,
Sent by the Gods, thy counsel I implore. 530
Thus he: the prophet with redoubled might
Writh'd round his orbs, that flash'd with azure light,
Gnashing his teeth tremendous, ere he spoke;
Then from his lips these fateful accents broke.

The Gods, the Gods pursue thee with their hate;
Of crimes like thine the penalty is great. 536
Orpheus, if adverse Destiny's decree
Resist not, calls down all these woes on thee;
(Far weightier woes thou well deserv'st to bear:)
For his lost wife he maddens with despair; 540

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