Home if again he alighted. Awhile and Asia crouching 35
Humbly to Egypt's realm added a boundary new;
I, in starry return to the ranks dedicated of heaven,
Debt of an ancient vow sum in a bounty to-day.

Full of sorrow was I, fair queen, thy brows to abandon,
Full of sorrow; in oath answer, adorable head. 40
Evil on him that oath who sweareth falsely soever!
Yet in a strife with steel who can a victory claim?
Steel could a mountain abase, no loftier any thro' heaven's
Cupola Thia's child lifteth his axle above,
Then, when a new-born sea rose Mede-uplifted; in Athos' 45
Centre his ocean-fleet floated a barbarous host.
What shall a weak tress do, when powers so mighty resist not?
Jove! may Chalybes all perish, a people accurst,
Perish who earth's hid veins first labour'd dimly to quarry,
Clench'd in a molten mass iron, a ruffian heart! 50

Scarcely the sister-locks were parted dolefully weeping,
Straight that brother of young Memnon, in Africa born,
Came, and shook thro' heaven his pennons oary, before me,
Winged, a queen's proud steed, Locrian Arsinoe.
So flew with me aloft thro' darkening shadow of heaven, 55
There to a god's pure breast laid me, to Venus's arms.
Him Zephyritis' self had sent to the task, her servant,
She from realms of Greece borne to Canopus of yore.
There, that at heav'n's high porch, not one sole crown, Ariadne's,
Golden above those brows Ismaros' youth did adore, 60
Starry should hang, set alone; but luminous I might glisten,
Vow'd to the Gods, bright spoil won from an aureat head;
While to the skies I clomb still ocean-dewy, the Goddess
Placed me amid star-spheres primal, a glory to be.

Close to the Virgin bright, to the Lion sulkily gleaming, 65
Nigh Callisto, a cold child Lycaonian, I
Wheel obliquely to set, and guide yon tardy Bootes
Where scarce late his car dewy descends to the sea.
Yet tho' nightly the Gods' immortal steps be above me,
Tho' to the white waves dawn gives me, to Tethys, again; 70
(Maid of Ramnus, a grace I here implore thee, if any
Word should offend; so much cannot a terror alarm,
I should veil aught true; not tho' with clamorous upr